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- Tasks: Join our Merchandising team to optimise handbag ranges and drive sales.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fashion merchandising while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment that values diversity and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 67000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for you to join as a Merchandiser in our Merchandising teams within the Handbags department within the Fashion department. You will be a highly experienced, analytical and commercial Merchandiser who uses their broad expert knowledge to plan and optimise the best range for customers within your category. Your remit will be to deliver agreed KPIs including sales, profit, stock, skus, availability, margin and risk management. You will maximise opportunities as they arise and lead the in-season trading to potentialise the outcome for both customers and your category.
You will analyse commercial inputs to develop, with the Buyer, the best range of products supported by effective and comprehensive range planning and pricing architecture to deliver market leading assortments. You will be People Manager of your category team’s Merchandising Assistants, creating the conditions for them to thrive, and balancing their focus and priorities as required. You will be expected to manage an assortment of high strategic importance and/or complexity within your category that achieves strong customer satisfaction. You may be asked to have oversight over the roll-up of other offices within your Category.
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
- You will be accountable for accurately planning and forecasting sales, stock, profit and SKUs for the Merchandising Manager L5 and Trade Planning team.
- You will be accountable for the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in-season trading, using analysis and reporting from Product Operations.
- Through your Merchandising Assistants, you will manage the flow of stock for your office, controlling inventory levels and open to buy.
- You are accountable for maximising availability across channels whilst minimising inventory holding costs and other supply chain costs.
- You will work at pace and with agility within a collaborative environment with your Merchandising Manager L5, Buyer, Head of Merchandising, Supply Chain, Trade Planning, Sourcing, Trading & Product Operations teams, Design and Product Technology.
- Externally, you will hold a strong relationship with your suppliers and Brands.
- You will be accountable for forecasting assortment Sales, Stock and Margin KPIs, deciding Open To Buy parameters that meet commercial and customer targets.
- In collaboration with Buying, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers.
- You may on occasion, be asked to roll up Category wide analysis in support of the Head of Buying and Head of Merchandising.
- You will be People Manager to your team’s Merchandising Assistant partner/s, providing Coaching, development and feedback.
Essential Skills you will need:
- Proven experience in Forecasting & Planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management.
- Minimum of 2 Years' Experience in Merchandising.
- Demonstrated expertise in merchandising practices, including assortment planning and stock management.
- Experience in a variety of Category Areas.
- Strong Analytical and Numerical Skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or similar analytical tools.
- Strong Communication and Presentation Skills.
- Understanding of Retail Operations and Supply Chain Management.
- Proactive Approach to Learning and Development.
Desirable Skills you may have:
- Previous relevant category experience.
- Advanced in MS Excel & Google Sheets, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH and Data Tables.
- Tableau adoption.
Closing Date: February 8, 2026
Pay: £54,500.00 - £84,100.00 Annual
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: 35
Job Level: Partnership Level 6
Where You'll Be Working: London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ
Merchandiser- Handbags employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser- Handbags
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your analytical skills and experience in merchandising to stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and ready to contribute to our success.
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser- Handbags
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Merchandiser role. Highlight your experience in forecasting, planning, and stock management, as these are key skills we’re looking for. Show us how your background aligns with our needs!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your proficiency in tools like Excel. Include specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love numbers, so let them shine!
Be Personable: We value communication and teamwork here at StudySmarter. In your application, let your personality come through! Share experiences where you’ve collaborated with others or led a team, especially in merchandising contexts. We want to see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics like sales forecasts, stock levels, and margin KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership
Since you'll be managing Merchandising Assistants, highlight your experience in coaching and developing team members. Share specific examples of how you've created a thriving environment for your team and balanced priorities effectively.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the handbag market and the company's product range. Be prepared to discuss how you would optimise assortments and pricing strategies to meet customer needs and drive sales.
✨Prepare for Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Think about how you've successfully collaborated in the past and be ready to share examples. Emphasise your communication skills and how you build strong relationships with stakeholders.
