Assistant Merchandiser

We're on the lookout for a Senior Assistant Merchandiser, who will assist the Merchandiser in managing the product purchasing process from initial buy through to delivery into the warehouse. This will entail assisting with the operational management of the department, forecasting and sizing at line level, trading in season to maximise sales and profit opportunities, planning the season ahead, coaching and developing the MAA and to fully support the Merchandiser in all aspects of their role.

What You Will Be Doing

• Ensure department stock targets are met, in conjunction with Availability and Back Order targets.
• Monitor the delivery schedule and ensure intake is delivered as per the agreed intake window.
• Supporting the Merchandiser in trading the department, making markdown and promotional proposals as appropriate.
• Managing and trading the WSSI - forecasting sales as appropriate, ensuring intake and recode forecasts are accurate and monitoring/communicating OTB as required.
• Planning, forecasting & trading line flows.
• Ensuring timely placement of purchase orders in line with internal and external critical paths.
• With the MAA, produce and review seasonal sizing analysis, amending size curves going forward and suggest to Merchandiser proposals for amendments to size ranges offered.
• Ensure all product data is set up and accurately maintained on all company systems with the MAA.
• Undertake end of season analysis to feed into future season planning.
• Maintain pricing file to ensure accurate for all markets.
• Ensure all Mail Order books are checked and accurate.
• Building effective working relationship with Buying counterpart.
• Build relationships with internal partners, in particular Branch Merchandising, Warehouse, Marketing, Web and Finance.
• Develop knowledge of store portfolio, carrying out regular store visits and feeding back to the wider team.
• Support the Merchandiser to build an effective and motivated team environment.
• Deputise for the Merchandiser as required.
• Supervising, coaching & development of MAA - build skills to meet current and future career goals.
• Implementing and exploiting new systems and processes.
• Taking ownership of flow line management, pro-actively reviewing forecasts and planning/amending intake to reduce covers while maximising availability.
• Collaborating with Branch Merchandising to ensure retail distribution reflects planned ranging and potentialising stocks in season as appropriate.
• Agreeing each season's production plan with the Merchandiser and monitoring with suppliers.
• Work closely with Buying team on managing supplier critical paths and preparing production plans in line with suppliers' capacity and capability.
• Coordinating production of full season analysis packs, lessons learnt and WSSI.
• Maintain future season planning pack to ensure changes are reflected following each meeting.
• Present to senior management team with support from Merchandiser.
• Takes ownership of the WSSI (updating, reforecasting, investigating issues and setting up new season WSSI).
• Leads internal training sessions for MAA population.
• Take on additional responsibility outside of own category e.g. company roll ups.
• Autonomously manage, plan and trade own area within the department.
• Provide and analyse commercial information relating to the department, making strategic recommendations.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers.

Qualifications

• Experienced Assistant Merchandiser in a retail business, who is able to be independent and manage own area.
• Ability to assist in managing an operational area.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and interpretive skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and to be able to manage a number of tasks concurrently.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills - the ability to initiate and build strong relationships within the team and across functions.
• Production planning skills.
• Experience using a departmental WSSI.
• Stock and commitment management.
• Sales forecasting at size, product and range level.
• Understanding of allocation and replenishment.
• Commercial awareness of market and competitors.
• Proficient Excel user.
• Able to fully utilise the relevant IT support systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and excellent bonus scheme.
• An entrepreneurial environment where you'll be encouraged to try things and make changes to drive the business forward.
• You'll have access to Staff Discount from your 1st day, not just at CT but also from The White Company!
• Our hybrid working policy means we work from the office 3-4 days per week (14 days onsite across a 4 week period, and Monday's are our set days in the office).
• We are proud to go about our business in the right way and partner with many charities and sustainability partners - 'giving something back' is an important part of our ethos.
• At HQ we are serious about having fun. Our Christmas and summer parties are the stuff of legend and our CT Social Team ensure there is always something exciting to get involved in.