At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing, quality checks, and compliance for exciting products.
- Company: Join The Souvenir Collection, a fast-growing gift and stationery brand.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, holiday, and eye care scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity to build lasting supplier relationships and processes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by setting quality standards and processes.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in sourcing or product compliance; strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Temporary Merchandiser – Sourcing, Quality & Compliance
Location: London (Holloway Road head office) or Manchester (print and operations facility), working across both sites
- Salary: £45,000–£55,000 per year pro rata, depending on experience, plus benefits
- Contract: Full-time, temporary (3-month fixed-term contract with possible extension)
Who we are
At The Souvenir Collection, we make the gifts, stationery and souvenirs people take home to remember a great day out.
Our products sit in the shops and websites of leading heritage, cultural and retail partners, and every one of them has to be beautifully made, safe and worth the money.
We're growing fast, and we're looking for someone to join us for three months and take charge of how our products are sourced, made, checked and kept compliant.
Why this role is different
This isn't a job where you hand off to the quality team or wait for compliance to sign things off.
You are the quality team, and you're the one who knows the rules.
You'll find the factories, negotiate the deals, set the standards and make sure everything that leaves the factory is right.
It's a hands-on role with real autonomy and a clear 3-month remit: put the right standards, checks and records in place, and hand over a system we can keep using.
You'll see the results on shop shelves at some of the country's best-loved attractions.
- What success looks like in 3 months
- A quality standard and inspection checklist agreed with each of our main factories.
- Up-to-date test reports and technical files for our current range / priority products, ready for UK and EU (GPSR) requirements.
- A simple handover pack, so the processes you set up keep running after you leave.
- What you'll be doing
- Finding and growing great suppliers
- Scout, assess and approve new factories.
- Strengthen relationships with our existing suppliers, and track every supplier on quality, cost, delivery and compliance.
- Buying smart
- Negotiate prices, minimum order quantities and payment terms.
- Calculate and manage landed costs to protect our margins on every order.
- Bringing products to life
- Work with our design and sales teams to turn ideas into clear product specifications.
- Manage samples, pre-production approvals and final sign-off.
- Keeping products safe and compliant
- Identify the safety and compliance requirements for each product and market, including UK rules and the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).
- Coordinate testing laboratories and keep test reports and technical files up to date.
- Stay ahead of changes in product safety rules and make sure our processes keep pace.
- Setting the standard (quality assurance)
- Agree clear quality standards with each factory before production starts.
- Set up practical QA processes, checklists and supplier quality manuals.
- Catching problems early (quality control)
- Arrange and review inspections during production and before goods ship.
- Make sure defects are fixed at the factory, not discovered in our warehouse, and follow through on corrective actions.
- Getting it here on time
- Manage production and shipping schedules from order to delivery.
- Spot risks early and act fast to keep orders on track.
- Keeping everyone in the loop
- Keep accurate supplier, product and compliance records.
- Juggle several projects at once and keep colleagues and customers informed.
- What you'll bring
Essential
- At least 3 years' experience in sourcing, buying, merchandising or product compliance, including sourcing direct from Asian factories.
- Hands-on experience of factory management, quality control and product testing.
- A working knowledge of UK and EU product safety requirements.
- Sharp negotiation skills and a good head for costs and margins.
- Excellent organisation, with the ability to keep several projects moving at once.
- Confident, clear communication with suppliers, colleagues and customers.
- A self-starter who enjoys building things from scratch.
- Happy to travel between our London and Manchester sites.
- It's a bonus if you have
- Experience in giftware, stationery, drinkware or promotional merchandise.
- A CIPS qualification, or you are working towards one.
- Experience with testing standards for products like ours, such as toys, ceramics, textiles or food-contact items.
- Spoken Mandarin, at a fluent or conversational level.
- What's in it for you
- Real ownership: a role where your decisions make a lasting difference to the business.
- Products you can be proud of: high-profile ranges for prestigious heritage and cultural partners.
- Room to build: the chance to set up processes and supplier relationships we will keep using long after your contract ends.
- The package: £40,000–£50,000 per year (pro rata), pension, holiday accrued pro rata (based on 23 days plus bank holidays a year) and eye care scheme.
The Souvenir Collection is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.
If you need any adjustments to apply or attend an interview, just let us know.
INDLS
Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy.
You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application.
Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful.
Temporary Merchandiser in London employer: Equals One Ltd
Bluebird Care Calderdale and Bradford is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of both its employees and customers. With flexible shifts, comprehensive training, and a supportive team environment, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals while enjoying ongoing career development. Join us in Halifax and Brighouse, where your compassion and dedication can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Temporary Merchandiser in London
✨Get to Know the Local Scene
Temporary roles in logistics and supply chain often rely on local connections. Visit local businesses or warehouses and introduce yourself! You'd be surprised how often work is filled through word of mouth, so put yourself out there.
✨Leverage Industry Events
Look for trade shows, logistics expos, or supply chain seminars happening in your area. These events are goldmines for networking and often feature companies looking for temporary staff. It’s a great way to make a lasting impression!
✨Be Ready to Flex Your Skills
In temporary roles, employers want people who can easily adapt. Brush up on your knowledge of inventory management systems or logistics software—anything that can show you're ready to jump in right away. It will make you stand out!
✨Apply through Our Website!
Don't forget to check our listings at StudySmarter! We often have great temporary roles in logistics and supply chain that you can apply for directly. Getting your application in through our site is a solid step towards landing your next gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Merchandiser in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Logistics Know-How:When applying for a Temporary Merchandiser in logistics and supply chain, make sure to highlight your relevant skills such as inventory management, procurement knowledge, and experience with logistics software. Tailor your CV to show any specific projects or coursework you've completed that relate to the field—specifics matter!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, it's important to showcase your flexibility in your cover letter. Employers want to know that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to changing priorities, so share examples of previous roles where you've shown this adaptability.
Include Certifications and Training:If you have any relevant certifications like a Forklift License or training in supply chain management, make sure these are front and centre in your application. They really can set you apart in the logistics field, especially for a temporary role where employers may prefer someone who's ready to jump straight into the task at hand.
Why You Want This Role:In your cover letter, express why you're interested in this temporary position at Equals One Ltd. Use it as a chance to show your enthusiasm for the logistics field and how this experience will help you grow professionally. Remember, it’s about more than just the job—show us you're keen to learn and make a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Equals One Ltd
✨Know Your Supply Chain Basics
Brush up on fundamental supply chain concepts, like inventory management and logistics strategies. Since this is a temporary role, having a quick grasp of these basics can set you apart and show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you solved logistics challenges. Interviewers love hearing how you approached issues like delays or order discrepancies, so come prepared with a couple of solid examples that highlight your critical thinking skills.
✨Stay Flexible and Open-Minded
As a temporary candidate, we need to demonstrate adaptability. Be prepared to discuss how you can quickly integrate into different teams and handle diverse tasks. This can really showcase your potential to thrive in a fast-paced environment like logistics.
✨Get Familiar with Logistics Tools
Familiarise yourself with common supply chain management software, such as SAP or Oracle. Mentioning these tools during your interview can impress your interviewer at Equals One Ltd and demonstrate your readiness to engage with their systems right away.
