Merchandiser - Product, Purchasing & Supply Chain in London

Merchandiser - Product, Purchasing & Supply Chain in London

London Full-Time 35000 - 35000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage product replenishment, purchasing, and stock analysis in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Established UK B2B fabric wholesaler with a strong reputation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on efficiency and accuracy.
  • Why this job: Join a growing team and make a real impact on product availability.
  • Qualifications: Experience in merchandising or supply chain, strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Location: Edmonton, North London - On-site

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:30pm; Friday: 9:00am-4:30pm (Summer) / 9:00am-3:30pm (Winter)

Job Type: Full-time

The Role

Our client is an established UK B2B fabric wholesaler with a long-standing reputation within the textile industry and an exciting period of growth ahead. We are looking for a highly organised, analytical and commercially aware Merchandiser to take ownership of the operational rhythm behind the Product & Purchasing function. This is a hands-on role combining replenishment, purchasing, stock analysis, product data and inbound supply. You will connect sales, stock, purchasing, suppliers, inbound logistics and Finance, ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

A key part of the role will be managing replenishment - understanding how products are performing, identifying what needs to be reordered and ensuring purchasing decisions are made early enough to maintain availability without creating unnecessary stock.

Key Responsibilities

  • Replenishment & Repeat Buying
    • Own the day-to-day replenishment process across established product ranges.
    • Monitor sales, stock levels, stock cover, incoming quantities and supplier lead times.
    • Identify products approaching reorder points and take action before stock becomes critical.
    • Analyse whether existing products should be repeated, reduced, increased or discontinued.
    • Build proposed repeat orders based on sales history, demand, current stock, incoming stock and lead times.
    • Maintain a clear replenishment calendar across suppliers and product categories.
    • Highlight potential stock-outs, excessive stock holdings and changes in demand.
    • Present clear buying recommendations to the Head of Product where commercial decisions are required.
  • Purchase Order Management
    • Prepare and maintain accurate purchase orders and supporting information.
    • Issue routine and replenishment orders directly to suppliers where agreed.
    • Escalate larger, unusual or strategically important orders to the Head of Product.
    • Track purchase orders from placement through production and shipment.
    • Maintain accurate expected production and delivery dates.
    • Proactively chase delays and highlight exceptions before they become problems.
  • Product Data & Product Creation
    • Own the operational process for creating new products within company systems.
    • Ensure product codes, descriptions, costs, compositions, widths, supplier references and other required information are accurate.
    • Maintain high standards of product and purchasing data.
    • Ensure supplier and product changes are accurately reflected across relevant systems.
    • Support the Head of Product in converting new ranges from development into commercially ready products.
  • Inbound, Shipments & Logistics
    • Maintain visibility of incoming purchase orders and shipments.
    • Coordinate information required for inbound shipments, ensuring quantities, values and timings are accurate.
    • Track deliveries from supplier through to receipt into the warehouse.
    • Work closely with the internal goods-in function to ensure inbound products are processed correctly.
    • Investigate discrepancies between purchase orders, supplier documentation, shipments and received quantities.
    • Maintain accurate landed-cost information and ensure relevant freight and duty costs are captured.
    • Flag delays and recommend priorities where shipment or container capacity is constrained.
  • Supplier & Finance Liaison
    • Work closely with Finance and the inbound team to ensure supplier invoices correspond with purchase orders and shipment values.
    • Investigate discrepancies in quantities, pricing and supplier charges.
    • Ensure purchasing information provided to Finance is complete and accurate.
    • Support accurate landed-cost calculations to maintain reliable product margins and costing information.
    • Maintain day-to-day communication with suppliers regarding orders, production status, quantities and delivery dates.
    • Escalate commercial negotiations, product issues and supplier claims to the Head of Product.
  • Stock & Performance Analysis
    • Produce regular analysis of stock performance and replenishment requirements.
    • Identify fast-moving, slow-moving and underperforming products.
    • Highlight changing sales patterns to the Head of Product.
    • Provide analysis to support buying and shipment priorities.
    • Continually improve the information used to make purchasing decisions.
  • Internal Coordination
    • Work closely with Product, Sales, Warehouse, Inbound and Finance teams.
    • Maintain a reliable flow of product and information across the business.
    • Ensure actions and decisions are followed through to completion.
    • Help identify and resolve discrepancies quickly and efficiently.

    What We're Looking For

    • Experience within merchandising, purchasing, supply chain, stock control, inventory planning or a related role.
    • Strong numerical and analytical ability.
    • Excellent Excel and general systems skills.
    • Confidence working with stock, sales, purchasing and product data.
    • Exceptional organisation and attention to detail.
    • Ability to manage multiple suppliers, orders and deadlines simultaneously.
    • Strong commercial awareness, understanding the balance between availability, cash, margin and stock risk.
    • Excellent communication and follow-through.
    • Experience working with physical products, wholesale, textiles or fashion would be advantageous.
    • Comfortable working across departments and resolving discrepancies.
    • Naturally process-driven and motivated by making systems run accurately and efficiently.

    The Opportunity

    This is an excellent opportunity to join an established business during an exciting period of growth and become a key part of its Product & Purchasing function. You will have genuine ownership of the day-to-day purchasing and replenishment operation, using data to anticipate requirements, keep orders and stock moving, and identify potential issues before they become problematic. The goal is simple: maintain the flow of product and information from demand, through purchasing and supply chain, into available stock.

Merchandiser - Product, Purchasing & Supply Chain in London employer: First Call Contract Services

As a leading recruiter in the aviation sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our employees benefit from comprehensive training programs, opportunities for career advancement, and a supportive environment that encourages personal growth. Located in a vibrant area, we offer flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee well-being, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking a rewarding career in recruitment.

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Contact Details:

First Call Contract Services Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Merchandiser - Product, Purchasing & Supply Chain in London

Get Involved in Industry Events

Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like First Call Contract Services and learning about the latest trends in the industry.

Leverage Online Communities

Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at First Call Contract Services!

Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio

Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.

Apply Directly Through Our Website

Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like First Call Contract Services keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser - Product, Purchasing & Supply Chain in London

Analytical Skills
Attention to Detail
Numerical Ability
Excel Skills
Stock Control
Inventory Planning
Purchasing Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to First Call Contract Services:This is your chance to really connect with the team at First Call Contract Services. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.

How to prepare for a job interview at First Call Contract Services

Know Your Logistics Tools

Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with First Call Contract Services.

Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.

Show Your Team Spirit

Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show First Call Contract Services that you're a team player!

Understand the Big Picture

Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at First Call Contract Services. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!