At a Glance
- Tasks: Support merchandise planning to ensure the right products are available for customers.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leader in motoring and cycling retail with a customer-driven approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment while making a real impact on customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Passion for retail, analytical skills, and a team player attitude are essential.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a commitment to wellbeing and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About us
At Halfords, our mission is to inspire and support a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation and a distinct product range. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an integrated, unique, and convenient service experience—from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand solutions. Our commitment is to foster customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to keep coming back to our stores, ensuring a lifetime of motoring and cycling enjoyment.
The teams at our Redditch Support Centre work with every other area of our business, putting them at the heart of the action and playing a key role in our success and growth. Everyone brings their individual knowledge and experience to work every day, working as one team to keep things moving smoothly.
If you’re willing to get stuck in, you’ll love it here too. So put yourself at the heart of a dynamic, fast-paced working environment where expertise and focus take people far.
About the role
Working in partnership with the Buyers, Marketing, Store Development, Quality, Operations, Digital teams and Suppliers our Assistant Merchandise Planners play a pivotal role within the business, supporting our merchandise planning teams to make sure we have the right products, in the right place, at the right time for both our store and online customers.
You’ll gain hands-on experience across the full merchandising cycle, from forecasting and stock management to promotional planning and range reviews. With exposure to multiple functions and high-impact projects, you’ll develop the technical and commercial skills needed to fast-track your career in a dynamic, fast-paced supply chain environment.
Key responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Merchandise Planner to build accurate sales forecasts, incorporating insights from trading, seasonal trends, new product launches, and promotional activity.
- Help manage stock intake plans to ensure product availability aligns with sales targets and business objectives.
- Monitor and support the delivery of Merchandise Planning KPIs, including Distribution Centre and store stock availability.
- Assist in maintaining inventory levels within agreed stock budgets, contributing to efficient stock control.
- Provide recommendations to the Merchandise Planner on resolving stock issues and identifying performance trends across product areas.
- Liaise with the Distribution Centre to ensure administrative and logistical processes run smoothly and accurately.
- Work cross-functionally with teams including Space Planning, Digital, Retail Operations, and Marketing to drive cohesive planning and execution.
- Support range reviews and promotional launches, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to stores.
- Assist in managing the clearance of obsolete and redundant stock in line with business strategy.
- Act as a key day-to-day contact for suppliers, ensuring clear and timely communication.
- Generate and analyse category performance reports to support strategic planning and decision-making.
- Serve as a secondary point of contact for store-related queries, offering responsive and effective support.
About you
- A passionate and driven retail professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-energy environments.
- Direct or transferable experience within retail – if you have the core transferable numerical and customer experience skills, we can teach you the rest!
- Obsessed with delivering exceptional customer experiences through smart, data-led decisions.
- Analytical and commercially savvy, with a talent for problem-solving and spotting opportunities.
- Experience in Forecast and Replenishment planning tools – SAP and Power BI experience would be a bonus but is not essential.
- Confident handling and interpreting large data sets, with advanced Excel skills to match.
- A true team player who collaborates seamlessly across departments to get things done.
Reward & benefits
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave. Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations. We offer hybrid working in our Support Centre, you will be based at our Support Centre 3 days a week with an optional 2 days working from home. You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services. Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
Not sure you meet all the criteria? We’d encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We’re an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family. At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 3 days per week on-site at our Support Centre in Redditch Worcestershire.
Assistant Merchandise Planner in Redditch employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandise Planner in Redditch
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Halfords on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Assistant Merchandise Planner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Halfords' mission and values. Show us how your passion for retail aligns with our commitment to customer-driven innovation and exceptional service.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your data analysis skills! Since the role involves handling large data sets, brush up on your Excel skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Halfords family.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandise Planner in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for retail and customer experience shine through in your application. We want to see how you connect with our mission at Halfords and how you can contribute to inspiring a lifetime of motoring and cycling.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially any analytical skills or retail knowledge. We love seeing how your background aligns with the Assistant Merchandise Planner role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your strengths!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your problem-solving skills and teamwork, and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Merchandise Planner, you'll be dealing with sales forecasts and stock management. Brush up on your numerical skills and be ready to discuss how you would analyse data trends or manage stock levels. Show them you're not just a numbers person, but someone who can turn data into actionable insights.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Halfords' mission and product range. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goal of providing exceptional customer experiences. Knowing their key responsibilities and how they align with your skills will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role involves working closely with various teams. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully collaborated across departments. Highlight your teamwork skills and how you can help drive cohesive planning and execution at Halfords.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and company culture. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if Halfords is the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to shine by demonstrating your curiosity and engagement.