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- Tasks: Lead a team to develop and manage product ranges for maximum sales and profitability.
- Company: Bensons for Beds is a leading retailer in the bed and mattress industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, health cashback options, pension schemes, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, influence product strategy, and make a real impact on sales.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, merchandising experience, analytical skills, and commercial awareness required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive company culture focused on employee wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Bensons for Beds is looking for a new Merchandising Planning Manager to join our team based in Accrington.
You will support and develop the merchandising team to ensure that commercial product ranges are developed and purchased in order to maximise sales and profitability. To ensure the flow of products and supply line to stores and online through using marketplace data and consumer insights to determine product ranges for market.
Who do we want?
- Strong organisational and leadership skills
- Experience of working in a similar role in Merchandising
- Previous experience of managing margins
- Experience in forecasting and budgeting
- Experience of formulating and delivering a detailed plan for taking products from purchase to shop floor
- Previous stock management experience
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent influencing skills
- Commercial awareness of the retail trade
- Experienced in using Google Analytics to analysis with ability to generate actionable insight.
So, what will you do?
- Prepare and create standard reporting suites and ad hoc analysis on sales drivers and margin impacts to support trading decisions
- Lead the merchandisers to build annual budget and re-forecasts at category level for sales, margin and volume ensuring they remain in line with company level targets
- Manage a team of merchandisers to plan new product ranges, range exits and promotional lines.
- Prepare and present product range plans, ensuring they are on brand and within operational and financial parameters.
- Ensure that supplier rebates are tracked and logged correctly and passed on to the finance team
- Understand changes in the market and be creative and innovative in bringing new product features into the business.
- Assess and evaluate suppliers agreeing key SLA’s.
- Monitor product and range performance against sales, margin, stock and availability targets making recommendations and generating analysis to support buying decisions.
- Ensure that range forecasting in accordance with agreed parameters.
- Work collaboratively with the Buying team developing commercial ranges, establishing stock intake plans and setting core KPI’s.
- Lead a team of merchandisers to maintain effective control of DC and store stock levels, providing accurate forecasting of markdown spend and end of line stock forecasts.
- Ensure the team identify and action markdown and clearance requirements to ensure clear down of end of range lines.
- Create and effectively manage the price book, related systems and documentation for all trading events
- Work with the supply chain team on product and range forecasts to ensure on time delivery from supply base and stock range plans are kept within targeted levels.
- Oversee timely delivery of stock to stores to meet launch and promotional timelines
- Highlight required actions to meet future sales estimates to the supply chain team.
- Work with the marketing manager to ensure that marketing messages have customer appeal and reflect the strength of the promotional offer
- Liaise with the Marketing department to ensure that all point of sale, price tickets and promotional material is correct and supports the merchandise strategy.
What will you get?
Along with a competitive salary, we host a catalogue of benefits! These include:
- *Employee discount scheme for Bensons products
- *Medicash – cashback options for Health and Wellbeing services (dental, optical, virtual GP, other healthcare services and more)
- Unum Income Protection – for peace of mind if you’re off work long term due to illness
- *Pension scheme – provided by Legal & General
- *Discounted Gym membership
- *Cycle to Work scheme
- Annual leave buy & sell scheme – you can top up your holiday entitlement or sell unused days to suit you
- *Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
- Access to Retail Trust services (guidance and support on retail issues, mental health, wellbeing & financial topics)
- Learning and development programmes to gain new knowledge and skills
- Career progression – access to internal opportunities to build your career within Bensons for Beds
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Merchandising Planning Manager employer: Bensons for Beds Retail Ltd
Contact Detail:
Bensons for Beds Retail Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in merchandising and retail analytics. Understanding current market dynamics will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to Bensons for Beds' success during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the merchandising field, especially those who have experience in the retail sector. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed product ranges and improved sales margins in previous roles. Being able to share concrete achievements will demonstrate your capability and fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills by being ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past positions. Highlighting your experience with tools like Google Analytics will be particularly relevant for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in merchandising and planning. Focus on your leadership skills, stock management experience, and any specific achievements related to sales and profitability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention your experience with Google Analytics and how you can use data to drive merchandising decisions.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong numerical and analytical skills, as well as your commercial awareness of the retail trade. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed margins and forecasts in previous roles.
Showcase Team Leadership Experience: Since the role involves managing a team of merchandisers, include specific examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've led teams to achieve targets and improve performance in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bensons for Beds Retail Ltd
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Merchandising Planning Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
This role requires strong numerical and analytical skills. Be ready to talk about your experience with data analysis, particularly using tools like Google Analytics. Prepare to share insights you've generated from data and how those insights influenced business decisions.
✨Understand Market Trends
Bensons for Beds values creativity and innovation. Research current trends in the retail and merchandising sectors, and be prepared to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the table. Show that you understand the competitive landscape and can adapt strategies accordingly.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of situations where you've had to manage stock levels, forecast sales, or handle supplier relationships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.