At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail merchandising strategy through planning, forecasting, and stock management.
- Company: Dynamic fashion retailer focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with a focus on teamwork and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make an impact in the fast-paced retail world.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years of merchandising experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Purpose
To support the delivery of the retail merchandising strategy across all channels through ownership of planning, forecasting, trading and stock management activities.
The Junior Merchandiser will work closely with Buying, Retail and Sourcing teams to maximise sales, profitability and stock efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Planning
- Support the development and management of annual, seasonal and monthly sales and stock plans.
- Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets for designated product categories and retail channels.
- Place and manage orders with the Sourcing team to maintain appropriate stock levels throughout the season.
- Partner with Buying to optimise new season assortments, buy depth and size architecture.
- Own the annual packaging and accessories forecast, managing orders and stock levels.
- Trading
- Analyse weekly trading performance and identify opportunities to maximise sales and profitability.
- Monitor product, category and store performance, taking proactive action where required.
- Conduct quarterly forecasting reviews and recommend reforecasts based on performance trends.
- Lead seasonal performance reviews, presenting findings, opportunities and lessons learned.
- Identify stock risks and opportunities, making recommendations for recuts, markdowns and stock rebalancing.
- Drive inventory optimisation through RTVs, transfers and stock movement strategies.
- Retail Stores & Outlets
- Support store opening plans as part of the retail expansion strategy.
- Manage product assortments and pricing strategies for outlet locations.
- Partner with Retail Managers to drive commercial performance and operational excellence.
- Own allocation and replenishment strategies, ensuring stock is placed effectively across the estate.
- Develop and manage allocation plans and purchase orders to support commercial demand.
- Conduct regular store visits and provide actionable recommendations based on observations and performance.
- Team
- Support and coach the MAA in their day-to-day responsibilities.
- Assist with training, development and workload prioritisation.
- Deputise for the Head of Merchandising when required.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships across Buying, Retail, Logistics and Sourcing.
Skills & Experience
- 2–4 years' merchandising experience within a fashion or retail environment.
- Proven experience in planning, forecasting and trading activities.
- Strong commercial awareness and analytical capability.
- Advanced Excel and merchandising systems knowledge.
- Excellent presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence decisions through data and commercial insight.
- Experience supporting or mentoring junior team members is desirable.
- Additional Requirements
- Flexible and adaptable approach to operational business needs.
- Ability to work onsite 5 days per week.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like BoF Careers, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like BoF Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at BoF Careers, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at BoF Careers and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show BoF Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at BoF Careers
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
