At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Merchandiser in planning and trading to optimise sales and stock-turn.
- Company: Join Harrods, a leading luxury department store known for top designers and exceptional shopping experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options, a friendly environment, and abundant career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration and continuous improvement in a fast-paced retail setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong Excel skills, and excellent communication abilities are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
Assistant Merchandiser
Join our Toys and Technology division as an Assistant Merchandiser, where you\’ll help drive commercial performance through smart planning, insightful analysis and cross functional collaboration.
About the Role
As Assistant Merchandiser, you\’ll support the Merchandiser in planning and trading the Toys and Technology categories, primarily focusing on Own Bought toys (excluding Jellycat) while also assisting with one of our biggest technology brands, Apple. You\’ll use trading insights to propose actions that deliver sales, margin and OTB KPIs, while guiding and developing the Merchandise Admin Assistant. Working with Buying, Retail, Distribution and key suppliers, you\’ll ensure the lifecycle of the range is managed effectively, identifying risks and opportunities along the way.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing the Merchandise Admin Assistant, including performance reviews and progression planning.
- Monitoring divisional trading patterns and recommending actions to maximise KPI performance.
- Challenging and improving merchandising processes to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
- Conducting in season reviews and delivering analysis to support strategic buying and merchandising decisions.
- Reforecasting in season performance and taking action to optimise profit opportunities.
Depending on your role, you may be fully on-site or have a mix of on-site and home working – this is what we refer to as \’Hybrid\’. Our hybrid working policy allows colleagues to work from home for part of the week, with a minimum of three days on-site, depending on business needs.
Please see our policy on our Career Site for more information or speak to a member of our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions regarding the requirements for this role.
About You
You will be an emerging Assistant Merchandiser—or a high performing MAA ready for your next step—with a solid understanding of key commercial and financial metrics. You\’ll bring a proactive, solutions focused approach and a genuine enthusiasm for supporting and developing others. You will be confident working at pace, comfortable analysing complex data, and committed to championing merchandising best practice. Your ability to autonomously manage priorities, coupled with strong communication and stakeholder management skills, will ensure you thrive in this fast paced division.
You must have:
- Strong Excel capability, with experience in forecasting and auto replenishment.
- A detail focused, data driven mindset and strong financial awareness.
- A collaborative, nurturing approach with the ability to work independently when needed.
About Us
Harrods is one of the world\’s leading luxury department stores and we\’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world\’s most inspiring shopping experiences.
Our Promise to You
Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we\’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.
Uniquely You
Whilst our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you can demonstrate the majority of skills and strong experience to thrive in this role, we would encourage you to apply.
At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.
If you want to know more about life at Harrods, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods.
Additional Information:
Time Type:
Permanent
Department:
Merchandise Planning & Control (Emily Johnson)
Assistant Merchandiser employer: Harrods
Contact Detail:
Harrods Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Harrods' product range and brand values. Understanding their luxury positioning and customer expectations will help you demonstrate your alignment with their standards during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Excel skills, especially in data analysis and reporting. Being able to showcase your proficiency in handling data will be crucial, as the role involves producing trading reports and analysing sales performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Harrods, particularly those in merchandising roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in a fast-paced retail environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used data to influence decisions and improve business performance, as this is key for the Assistant Merchandiser role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandiser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in merchandising, especially within multi-brand or luxury retail. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the brand. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Assistant Merchandiser position, particularly your experience with data analysis and stakeholder management.
Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in Microsoft Excel and any experience with SAP. Provide examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles to support merchandising decisions or improve sales performance.
Showcase Team Collaboration: Include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams in past roles. Highlight any leadership experiences, especially if you've guided others or managed projects, as this aligns with the responsibilities of supporting Merchandise Admin Assistants.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrods
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As an Assistant Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Prepare examples of how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles, especially in merchandising or retail environments.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Harrods' Standards
Research Harrods' brand values and exceptional standards. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to maintaining these standards in your role, particularly in range planning and trading.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Collaboration is key in this role. Share specific instances where you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams, especially in merchandising or retail settings, to achieve common goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the importance of Excel and possibly SAP in this role, brush up on your technical skills. Be prepared to answer questions about how you've used these tools in past positions to manage stock and analyse sales performance.