Merchandiser in Carlisle

Here at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill we have a fantastic opportunity for a Merchandiser, based at our Head Office in Carlisle. Relocation assistance available.

We are looking for an experienced Merchandiser or Junior Merchandiser ready to step up. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role within the Merchandising function, taking ownership of divisional planning and trading to drive sales, maximise margin and deliver strong stock performance.

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill is a retail business comprising over 200 units, including High Street, Tourist & Destination sites, predominantly Fashion and Home.

Our Head Office is located in Carlisle, Cumbria. Carlisle has a principal station on the West Coast main line from London Euston and sits on the M6 motorway. This location provides ready access to the major facilities expected of a city, combined with the possibility of living in one of the finest countryside areas in the UK. Almost every conceivable type of outdoors and countryside activity is at hand. There are fishing rivers, hill walking areas and golf courses nearby and the Lake District is a short drive away.

We have mainstream high street stores selling ladies and menswear for the 45 plus customer. Outlets are located in a wide variety of market and provincial towns across the UK and Ireland.

We have specialty tourist stores, where gift items and other products reflect the store's location. The outlets, which trade under an individual, often local, fascia, are in key tourist locations throughout the UK. Many stores are on busy tourist routes and benefit from coach visits where food service and exhibitions are all part of the attraction.

There are Destination Sites which contain all of the Company's concepts and other brands to increase their attractiveness as a retail destination. The sites trade under local, individual fascias such as Antartex Village, and Kernow Mill, Mackinnon Mills.

If you are passionate about the brand looking for a new challenge then Edinburgh Woollen Mill is the place for you!

The role involves a sharp commercial focus, responsible for effective planning, trading and stock management across the division, ensuring the right product is in the right place at the right time, and reacting confidently to maximise opportunities and minimise risk.

Responsibilities/ Objectives:

• Develop and implement department and product strategies for sales, profit and stock, using historical data, trends and commercial insight to deliver agreed objectives in line with critical path timelines.
• Lead all elements of range, sales, space and profit planning.
• Ensure range and product briefs are delivered on time and to plan, maintaining the correct balance, depth and breadth of assortment down to store level.
• Plan cost prices, selling prices and volumes in line with agreed parameters, ensuring alignment to selling periods and targeted sell-through.
• Monitor and analyse sales, stock, space and profit performance, reacting quickly to opportunities and risks to optimise trading results.
• Plan and manage promotional activity in line with range plans and commercial objectives, evaluating performance and adapting to maximise return.
• Maintain optimum stock availability through effective allocation, replenishment and open-to-buy control, adjusting intake in line with performance.
• Manage monthly stock buy requirements by division and profile, ensuring content, volume and timing support agreed objectives.
• Build strong supplier relationships, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery and compliance with company standards.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of store portfolios, performance and competitor activity through regular analysis and store visits.
• To develop a thorough knowledge of the stores/competition opportunities through store visits.
• Lead, manage and develop the Allocator team, driving accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement.