At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitable growth through effective merchandise planning and supplier management.
- Company: Join Coventry City FC, a club that champions equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising or procurement with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Senior Merchandiser (Commercial Manager) handles driving profitable growth through effective merchandise planning, trading analysis, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and inventory optimisation. This role combines commercial merchandising expertise with procurement and supplier relationship management to ensure the business delivers the right products, at the right price, at the right time.
Working cross-functionally with Product, Ecommerce, Marketing, Operations, Customer Experience, and external suppliers, the role will maximise sales performance, maintain healthy stock levels, optimise margins, and support the successful delivery of product launches and promotional campaigns.
Key Responsibilities- Produce and present weekly trade reports, providing actionable insights and recommendations to key stakeholders.
- Manage and maintain the WSSI, monitoring OTB, sales performance, stock risks, and commercial opportunities.
- Determine buy levels by season, category, and supplier to support sales and inventory objectives.
- Monitor best and worst sellers, identifying rebuys, rephases, cancellations, and markdown opportunities.
- Review historical performance and trading data to inform future seasonal strategies and assortment planning.
- Support new product launches and promotional activity, ensuring stock availability aligns with planned launch dates.
- Review and recommend pricing, markdown, and promotional strategies to optimise sales and stock productivity.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimise cost, quality, availability, and delivery performance.
- Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, contracts, and long-term commercial agreements.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, ensuring high levels of service, quality, and compliance.
- Resolve supplier issues relating to quality, delivery, pricing, or compliance.
- Collaborate with suppliers to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve commercial performance.
- Monitor and optimise intake margins across product categories, ensuring alignment with financial targets.
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities, recommending actions to maximise profitability.
- Conduct ad hoc analysis to support strategic decision-making and business planning.
- Provide commercial insights to support pricing, assortment, sourcing, and promotional strategies.
- Work closely with Product, Ecommerce, Marketing, Operations, Planning, and Customer Experience teams.
- Coordinate with planning teams on stock availability, sell-through performance, pricing, and in-season trading.
- Foster strong stakeholder relationships and communicate effectively across all levels of the business.
- Manage multiple projects and priorities while ensuring deadlines and commercial objectives are achieved.
- Proven experience in merchandising, buying, procurement, sourcing, or a related commercial role within retail or ecommerce.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks, opportunities, and practical solutions.
- Excellent negotiation, supplier management, and contract management skills.
- Advanced analytical skills with strong proficiency in Excel.
- Ability to interpret complex data and present clear recommendations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong organisational and time management abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of taking ownership of responsibilities.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Collaborative approach with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
We are dedicated to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Our Club is committed to maintaining safer recruitment practices. An enhanced DBS check is mandatory for this role.
Equality, Diversity & InclusionCoventry City FC proudly champions equal opportunity! We believe in fairness for all, ensuring our recruitment and selection practices respect every individual's unique background. We warmly invite applicants from every background, celebrating diversity in race, nationality, religion, gender, age, and ability. Join the Sky Blue Army – shaping the future of Coventry City FC on and off the pitch.
Senior Merchandiser in Coventry employer: Coventry City Football Club
Coventry City Football Club is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and community spirit thrive. As a Matchday Steward, you'll not only receive comprehensive training but also enjoy the unique opportunity to engage with passionate supporters in a dynamic arena setting, fostering both personal and professional growth while contributing to memorable matchday experiences.
Contact Details:
Coventry City Football Club Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Merchandiser in Coventry
✨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 Coventry City Football Club, 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 Coventry City Football Club!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Merchandiser in Coventry
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 Coventry City Football Club, 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 Coventry City Football Club 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 Coventry City Football Club that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Football Club
✨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!
