Merchandiser

At GO Outdoors our purpose is strong and clear: “to inspire and equip everyone for life outdoors”. We believe in the positive benefits of the outdoors and provide the best equipment for all activities.

Location: JD Group HQ (Bury, Greater Manchester)

Department: Buying

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Role Overview

Lead the merchandising team across all channels to deliver Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake and Profit Plans. Work closely with Buyers, Allocators, and suppliers to ensure product availability, minimise markdowns, and support range planning, forecasting, and trading strategies that align customer demand with business goals.

What You'll Be Doing

• Drive the review of the previous season and capture lessons learned.
• Drive the strategy for the department and present.
• Review the SMT plan at apply plan at Category/Season level to meet the overall plan.
• Quarterly plan at Category/Season level with the Buyer to submit a plan on the System that reflects the best possible mix of product to deliver the KPI’s.
• Attend selection/pre-selection meetings with the Buyer and suppliers.
• Plan the pre-scheduling to meet the range plan – in conjunction with Assistant Merchandisers.
• Overview the ratios for all buys in conjunction with merchandise teams.
• Ensure that the Buy matches the plan Buy.
• Be responsible for the pushing of the business forward through proposing new ways of working and planning and be the driving force in implementing.
• Ensures Buying and Merchandising plans tie in with financial stock targets (sales, stock and intake).
• Ensures supplier terms are utilised to hit company targets.
• Review weekly trading performance and achieved KPI’s, identifying Issues and the course of action in preparation for the weekly trading meetings.
• Propose and agree actions to recover risk and maximise opportunities with the Buyer at category and line level.
• Monthly – Capture all agreed actions in the monthly reviews.
• Work up the forecast for the category/Season.
• Meet and gain approval: Incorporating Forecasting any sales variance to plan.
• Creation and management of OTB’s.
• Management of commitments – On time delivery, rebuys cancellations.
• Markdown proposals.
• Manage the range plan in Season reflecting any changes.
• Creation and management/monitor sell out dates against all products.
• Manage Intake at category and line level.
• Work with the Buyer to deliver the plan.
• Guide and direct the Merchandising Team to help deliver the plan.
• Work closely with the multi-channel team to help deliver the plan.
• Establish working relationships with Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, DC, etc.
• Team development right up to Merchandiser helping the business to facilitate internal promotion/strengthening of the teams.
• Work with online marketing executives to optimise the website.
• Attend all Systems courses to enable full utilisation of the System.
• Adhere to the Merchandise Calendar delivery plans and forecasts as required.
• Focus on Training and developing your team ‘On-The-Job’.
• Achieve company Sales, Margins, and stock plans.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Previous experience in merchandising, planning, or a similar commercial retail role (outdoor retail experience desirable but not essential).
• Strong understanding of stock management, forecasting, and critical path processes.
• Commercially astute with awareness of market trends, competitor activity, and customer buying behaviours.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with large data sets.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience using merchandising or retail planning systems.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence in liaising with suppliers and internal teams.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to react quickly to changing circumstances.
• Passionate about retail, product, and the outdoor sector, with a drive to deliver results.