At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to manage stock and drive sales for fanwear products.
- Company: Fanatics Commerce, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that impacts sports fans worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.
At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Merchandiser is a key member of the Merchandising team, partnering closely with the Branch Merchandiser to drive stock control, sales, and profitability across the fanwear range. This role leads end-to-end order and critical path management, promotional planning, and trade analysis to identify opportunities and mitigate risk. The Merchandiser delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.
HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT
Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.
Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)
Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Partner with the Branch Merchandiser and wider Merchandising team to align on department strategy, financial plans, and in-season trading decisions.
- Work cross-functionally with suppliers, retail, and event teams to coordinate stock packages and maintain a joined-up critical path.
- Coach, develop, and provide day-to-day management and support to the Merchandise Assistant, fostering growth and high performance.
- Create an environment of continuous development, sharing knowledge of merchandising processes to build team capability over time.
Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)
- Ensure fans can buy great quality fanwear when and where they want by optimising stock availability across retail, event, and digital channels.
- Make promotional and markdown recommendations based on rigorous analysis and scenario modelling, ensuring fans are served compelling and timely offers.
- Produce post-event analysis and trade reviews to continuously improve the fan-facing range and product availability.
- Collaborate with the Branch Merchandiser to optimise retail and event stock packages that meet fan demand at key moments.
Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)
- Build and maintain scenario models to support promotional planning and markdown decision-making, identifying opportunities ahead of market trends.
- Leverage WSSI inputs - including Intake and Markdown - to generate accurate forecasts and proactively manage financial risk.
- Review historical data and financial trends to contribute to department strategy and inform forward-looking budgeting decisions.
- Apply analytical thinking to ongoing trade reports, surfacing actionable insights that drive sales and protect margin.
Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)
- Own order management and critical path oversight, ensuring on-time intake and delivery to hit launch targets and stock commitments.
- Work directly with suppliers to maintain the critical path and delivery schedule, resolving issues with urgency and accountability.
- Manage key WSSI inputs with precision, ensuring intake and markdown data reflect the most current trading position.
- Step up to support events and peak trading periods as required, including weekend and late-night working when the business demands it.
AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY
We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:
- Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes.
- Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance.
- Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working.
- Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING
Required Qualifications:
- Solid merchandising background gained within a fast-paced retail environment, with demonstrable experience across the full merchandising cycle.
- Proven working knowledge of WSSI processes, including management of Intake and Markdown inputs to drive accurate forecasting.
- Experience in order management and critical path ownership, with the ability to work directly with suppliers to maintain delivery schedules.
- Strong analytical skills with experience producing trade analysis, promotional scenario models, and post-event reviews.
- Working knowledge of Allocation and Replenishment, Promotion and Markdown planning, and Product Set Up.
- Experience in people management or coaching preferred, with a demonstrated ability to develop and support junior team members.
- Ability to work flexibly, including additional hours around events and peak trading periods, as reasonably required.
WORK LOCATION
Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Manchester, subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week.
At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
ABOUT US
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com .
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
- Build Championship Teams
- Obsessed with Fans
- Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Determined and Relentless Mindset
Assistant Merchandiser in Manchester employer: Fanatics Commerce
Fanatics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets passion for sports. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide ample opportunities for career advancement within our global digital sports platform. Our collaborative culture fosters creativity and teamwork, making it an exciting place to contribute to the future of collectibles and engage with millions of sports fans worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser in Manchester
✨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 Fanatics Commerce, 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 Fanatics Commerce!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandiser in Manchester
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 Fanatics Commerce, 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 Fanatics Commerce 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 Fanatics Commerce that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fanatics Commerce
✨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!
