At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Merchandising team in stock management and sales analysis.
- Company: Join JD Sports, a leading sports fashion retailer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee discounts, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Great chance to learn and develop in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that drives sales and shapes product offerings.
- Qualifications: Analytical skills, attention to detail, and a passion for retail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 Β£ per year.
The Junior Merchandiser (JM) plays a key role within the Merchandising function, providing vital support to the Merchandising team to achieve optimum efficiency and to deliver the department plan on customer, sales, and profit. The JM takes responsibility for ensuring the right stock and intake is available for our customers, continually looking for opportunities to maximise the potential of both product and stores, whilst working collaboratively within the Merchandising team and key areas of the business. The JM is also responsible for training and developing junior team members.
Responsibilities
- Support with historical analysis packs.
- Evaluate past season trends to identify opportunities and risks.
- Support with creation of product mix pack.
- Create sign offs packs and manage critical path.
- Present in product mix and sign off meetings.
- Maintain and manage the central brand matrix, planograms and range plans.
- Quarterly review and update of scheduling grading and size mapping.
- Load plans in WSSI following product mix meetings.
- Support team to ensure accurate size ratios for all buys.
- Check buy plan by DC and support with split purchase orders.
- Support with department intake plans, in line with weekly intake forecasts, and identify key bookings.
- Reconcile sign off pack to buy plan.
- Review reporting and help create department weekly trade email.
- Implement trading strategies with the team.
- Review, maintain and update departmental reports.
- Support with Sales Analysis actions, driving trade through key commercial decision making.
- Identify IBTs and Fast Tracks and support with brand RTVs.
- Provide direction on weekly priorities for the team.
- Review and check any distribution amendments.
- Identify markdown lines, summarise markdown spend and check prices.
- Support the team in actioning weekly prices changes.
- Identify areas of opportunity using brand free stock list, considers OBT/intake restrictions.
- Manage and update sales forecast, tracks stock position and suggest trading actions.
- Maintains accurate sales and stock forecasts in WSSI.
- Track store options and guide team on trade actions to keep stores in line with planned options.
- Manage and review AM linecards, flagging over/under stock concerns to Merchandiser.
- Support in the creation of key event trading plans and support team to deliver these plans.
- Create quarter range plans.
- Support the team to range and de-range stores to keep stores within planned option counts.
- Investigate and analyse store/area performance to identify areas of improvement.
- Oversee, monitor and guide team on branch trading actions.
- Monitor new store builds.
- Build market awareness by country, region and area to make informed trading decisions.
- Regularly undertake store visits, collate feedback and share key actions.
- Drive and develop team, supporting with training where required.
- Review current processes to identify improved ways of working.
- Implement training schedules and undertake regular 1 to 1 catch ups.
Role objectives and KPIs
To support the Merchandising team to effectively deliver departmental goals and KPIs β sales, profit, and stock - across all channels (stores and digital), maximising commercial opportunities.
Skills and experience
- Analytical, data driven and highly numerate.
- Keen eye for detail and ability to accurately enter and check data.
- Enthusiastic about JD, its brands and customer.
- Strategic approach and more long-term thinking.
- Independent decision maker able to provide justification for all decisions made.
- Confident communicator able to build and maintain relationships at all levels.
- Able to take ownership of work and use initiative to deliver on key responsibilities.
- Strong teamwork skills, being able to work collaboratively to reach a common goal, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
- Positive, flexible, and responsive to business needs.
- Curious with a continuous learning mindset.
- Strong knowledge of Excel.
Training requirements for role
- GUI Advanced Excel
- Strong trade knowledge
- Product mix and sign off pack creation and meeting attendance
- Historical analysis packs
- Size mapping Planner (Planogram)
- Range Plan
- Central brand matrix
- Key event trading plans
- Purchase order creation process - PO upload
- Bookings
Junior Merchandiser in Suffolk employer: JD Group Plc
Contact Detail:
JD Group Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser in Suffolk
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research JD Sports, their products, and their culture. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your skills align with the Junior Merchandiser role. Be ready to discuss your analytical abilities and how you've used data to make decisions in the past.
β¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at JD Sports.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser in Suffolk
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Merchandiser role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description, like your analytical abilities and teamwork skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our merchandising team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about JD Sports and how your background makes you a great fit for the role. Donβt forget to mention your enthusiasm for the brands and customer focus β we love that!
Show Off Your Excel Skills: Since strong knowledge of Excel is key for this role, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have with data analysis or reporting. If you've worked on similar projects before, let us know how you used Excel to drive results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. Itβs super easy and ensures your application goes straight to the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD Group Plc
β¨Know Your Numbers
As a Junior Merchandiser, you'll be dealing with a lot of data. Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles. Bring examples of historical analysis packs or sales forecasts you've worked on to showcase your experience.
β¨Show Your Enthusiasm for JD
Make sure to express your passion for JD Sports and its brands during the interview. Research their latest products and trends, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to maximising commercial opportunities. A genuine interest can set you apart!
β¨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Collaboration is key in this role. Think about times when you've worked in a team to achieve a common goal. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported colleagues or taken ownership of projects, as this will demonstrate your teamwork skills.
β¨Excel at Excel
Since strong knowledge of Excel is crucial for this position, make sure you're comfortable discussing your proficiency. If you have any specific projects where you've used advanced Excel functions, be prepared to talk about them. This will show that you're ready to hit the ground running!