At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the team in delivering sales, stock management, and strategic planning.
- Company: Join JD Sports, a leading global retailer in sports fashion and outdoor gear.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, personal development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be part of a successful team driving innovation in the sports retail industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in a similar role and strong numerical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms with our colleagues working in stores across several retail fascias in many markets around the world. JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019 and continues to grow in the UK and internationally. We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. To be a part of this successful company and help us to achieve this you will have the desire to ingrain our strategic goals of being a people-led, innovative and customer-focused organisation which provides operational excellence whilst identifying new areas of growth as part of our day to day objectives.
Role Overview: To lead the team to deliver all channel Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake and Profit Plans.
Key Duties/Responsibilities:
- Strategy (5%): Review Previous Seasons and produce SWOT Analysis with supporting information. Alongside the Merchandiser and Buyer create the strategy for the department and present.
- Plan (25%): Create category level product mix using history, SWOT and SMT Plan. With Senior Merchandiser formulate the space and grading plan for store distribution. Ensure that the WSSI is updated with the buy plan and the KPI's are signed off with the Senior Merchandiser. Attend key selection meetings with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer. Build the Range plan. Build Layout plans in conjunction with buying and VM. Ensure that scheduling and Ideals are in place for your area of responsibility. Manage the Stock seasonality within the WSSI.
- Stock (15%): Overview the ratios for all buys in conjunction with Assistant Merchandiser. Ensure that the Buy matches the plan Buy. Establish working relationships with Supplier Base. Manage the order books both in season and preseason to ensure that the most accurate information is always in the system. Manage Intake at category and line level.
- Trade (45%): Reviews' weekly trading performance and achieved KPI's, identifying Issues and the course of action in preparation for the weekly trading meetings and submit to the senior merchandiser. Propose and agree actions to recover risk and maximise opportunities with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer at category and line level. Monthly - Capture all agreed actions in the monthly forecast reviews. Work up the forecast from category/Season level to Buyer Group. Meet and gain approval: Incorporating Forecasting any sales variance to plan. Creation of OTB's. Management of commitments - On time delivery, rebuys cancellations. Markdown proposals. Provide Retail with Rack List/Hit List through Merchandise Assistants. Manage the range plan in Season reflecting any changes. Manage Line cards. Visit and understand the store base on a regular basis. Create action plans to Optimise Store performance communicating to the retail Team anything that may impact store performance. Manage the store option plans to ensure each store has the optimum amount of stock and neither too full or lacking key lines. Establish collaborative working relationships within Team and across functions.
Behavioural:
- Delivering Excellence: Working at a consistently high standard sharing information, supporting colleagues and searching out expertise and solutions from relevant stakeholders.
- Leadership: You lead by example through your behaviours and professional approach to work; inspiring your colleagues and driving for results.
- Communication: You communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring that the message is understood by all.
Skills/Experience/Knowledge Needed:
- Experience within a similar role is essential.
- Experience within a sports/fashion retailer is advantageous.
- Highly numerate and strong commercial focus.
We know our colleagues work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits including staff Discount On JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.
Junior Merchandiser - Apparel employer: JD Sports Fashion
At JD Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values every colleague's contribution in a dynamic retail environment. With a commitment to personal development, inclusive work culture, and a range of benefits including staff discounts and opportunities for accredited qualifications, we empower our team members to thrive and grow their careers. Join us in a fast-paced setting where your passion for sports fashion can shine, and make a meaningful impact every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser - Apparel
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like JD Sports Fashion, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like JD Sports Fashion!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser - Apparel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at JD Sports Fashion, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at JD Sports Fashion and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show JD Sports Fashion that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD Sports Fashion
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
