At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead trading and analysis to drive success in your product areas.
- Company: Join Karen Millen, a brand known for timeless design and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, bonuses, and tailored benefits like private healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor juniors and participate in a vibrant social calendar.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment with a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Advanced Excel skills and strong commercial awareness are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Merchandiser – Karen Millen
6 month fixed-term contract | London
We’re looking for a talented Merchandiser to join our team at Karen Millen.
In this trading-focused, highly collaborative role, you’ll take full ownership of planning and trading across your designated product areas, using strategic insight and analysis to drive commercial success. Working closely with the Buying team, you’ll also regularly present performance updates to Senior Leadership, influencing key business decisions.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading reporting and presenting at weekly and monthly trade meetings
- Owning your departments - managing sales, profitability, and stock levels
- Analysing sales performance to inform rebuys, markdowns, and trading actions
- Managing WSSI (forecasting demand, OTB, returns, AVSP, and margin)
- Driving performance by identifying over- and under-performing products
- Overseeing critical path management and resolving issues quickly
- Preparing and improving trading reports and packs across the function
- Building strong relationships with Buying, Design, and suppliers
- Coaching and mentoring junior team members to support their development
What We’re Looking For
- Advanced Excel skills
- Strong commercial awareness with a sharp eye for fashion and current trends
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- A natural leader with proven ability to mentor and inspire others
- A collaborative team player, proactive and adaptable beyond core responsibilities
- Passionate, positive, and committed to continuous improvement
Why Join Us?
At Karen Millen, you’ll be part of a brand that’s synonymous with timeless design, exceptional quality, and modern style. You’ll work in a fast-paced, supportive environment where your insight and leadership directly shape our commercial success.
You\'ll also get:
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Company share scheme
- Life Assurance
- Company Pension Scheme
- Employee assistance programme including 24-hour confidential helpline
- Our Reward Platform allows you to tailor your benefits to suit your needs - such as Private Healthcare, Dental and Healthcare Cash Plans, a Cycle2work Scheme and plenty of fun anytime benefits such as coffee club or virgin experience days.
- Discount across all Debenhams Group brands
- Discount & Cashback portal
- Season Ticket Loans
- Learning and development support and opportunities both internally and externally
- Our social calendar? Next level!
If you’re ready to take ownership, influence strategy, and make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and become a driving force in our Merchandising team.
#LI-GS1
#J-18808-LjbffrMerchandiser (6 month FTC) in London employer: Debenhams Group
At Karen Millen, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their roles. As a Merchandiser, you'll enjoy a supportive environment in London, with ample opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, and a vibrant social calendar that makes every day enjoyable. Join us to influence key business decisions and be part of a brand that values timeless design and exceptional quality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser (6 month FTC) in London
✨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 Debenhams Group, 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 Debenhams Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser (6 month FTC) in London
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 Debenhams Group, 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 Debenhams Group 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 Debenhams Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams Group
✨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!
