Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Card Factory

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape strategies and budgets for product placement in a dynamic retail environment.
  • Company: Join Card Factory, the UK's leading greetings card retailer with over 1000 stores.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, financial support, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make an impact on store space optimisation and grow your skills in a fast-paced team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in merchandising and ability to work in a multi-channel retail setting.
  • Other info: Hybrid role with great career prospects and a supportive work culture.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

We’re on the lookout for a Merchandise Planner! Join the Commercial team at Card Factory and help us make the most of our store space. Our exciting space optimisation project is ready to go – we need someone as excited as we are to dive in and make every inch count! This opportunity is available on a 12-month fixed term contract basis. It’s a hybrid role combining some days working from home and some at our head office based in Wakefield, with great links to the M1 and free parking.

Main Responsibilities

  • Working closely with our Merchandiser Manager to shape strategies and budgets for your category.
  • Balancing the big picture with the finer details—translating insights into clear plans, optimising product placement, and ensuring every inch of the estate works harder for our customers.
  • Aligning stock forecasts with available space and collaborating with suppliers and cross‑functional teams.
  • Building smart, customer‑focused ranges, planning budgets, managing stock, and working with teams across the business.
  • Getting involved in weekly trade reviews, supplier planning, and space optimisation.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Merchandising experience, ideally from a non-food multi‑channel retail environment.
  • Ability to deliver results and work to targets.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving dynamic retail environment.
  • Confidence to influence and engage your stakeholders.

If you would like to come join the party and help shape what comes next at Card Factory – RSVP now!

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greetings cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland. In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni‑channel retailer. This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast‑paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.

Benefits

  • Pension
  • 15% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
  • Save As You Earn scheme
  • Financial Wellbeing Support
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
  • Seasonal incentive schemes
  • Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
  • Discounted gym membership, mobile phone contracts, and car leasing
  • Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
  • Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
  • Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

For any questions email: (we do not accept CVs/Applications via email). We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. No agencies, please.

Merchandise Planner employer: Card Factory

At Card Factory, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters growth and innovation. Located in Wakefield, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you contribute to exciting projects like our space optimisation initiative. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing and development, including access to training programmes and generous benefits, we empower our team to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.
Card Factory

Contact Detail:

Card Factory Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Merchandise Planner

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Card Factory's values, recent projects, and their approach to merchandising. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Merchandise Planner role. Personal connections can give you an edge!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to merchandising and data analysis. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to influence stakeholders and optimise space effectively. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Card Factory family. Let’s make every inch count together!

We think you need these skills to ace Merchandise Planner

Merchandising Experience
Data Analysis
Budget Planning
Stock Management
Space Optimisation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Attention to Detail
Results Delivery
Fast-Paced Environment Adaptability
Influencing Skills
Customer Focus
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your merchandising experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how you can make an impact in our fast-paced environment!

Show Your Data Skills: Since we’re all about using data to drive decisions, don’t forget to showcase any relevant experience you have with data analysis or insights. This will help us see how you can contribute to our space optimisation project.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key skills and experiences shine through without any fluff!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Card Factory

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Merchandise Planner, you'll be working with data all the time. Brush up on your numerical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles. Think about specific examples where your insights led to successful outcomes.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare to talk about how you approach space optimisation and product placement. Have a few strategies in mind that you've implemented before, and be ready to explain how they benefited the business. This will show your potential employer that you can think big while paying attention to the details.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since influencing others is key in this role, think of times when you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams or suppliers. Be prepared to share how you navigated challenges and built relationships, as this will demonstrate your ability to engage stakeholders effectively.

✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Scenarios

This role requires someone who can think on their feet. Prepare for situational questions that test your ability to adapt quickly. Consider examples from your previous experience where you had to make quick decisions or adjustments, and how those actions led to positive results.

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