Junior Merchandiser - Apparel

Responsible to: Not specified

Department: Not specified

Location: JD Group Head Office, Bury, Greater Manchester

Role Overview: To lead the team to deliver all channel Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake and Profit Plans.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Review previous seasons and produce SWOT analysis with supporting information.
• Alongside the Merchandiser and Buyer, create the strategy for the department and present it.
• Develop category level product mix using history, SWOT and SMT Plan.
• With the Senior Merchandiser formulate the space and grading plan for store distribution.
• Ensure that the WSSI is updated with the buy plan and the KPIs 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%):

• Oversee the ratios for all buys in conjunction with Assistant Merchandiser.
• Ensure that the buy matches the planned buy.
• Establish working relationships with the supplier base.
• Manage the order books both in season and pre season to ensure that the most accurate information is always in the system.
• Manage intake at category and line level.

Trade (45%):

• Review weekly trading performance and achieved KPIs, identifying issues and actions 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.
• Forecast 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.
• Visit and understand the store base on a regular basis.
• Create action plans to optimise store performance and communicate 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 nor lacking key lines.
• Establish collaborative working relationships within the team and across functions.

Behavioural Attributes:

• Delivering Excellence: work at a consistently high standard with enthusiasm, providing high quality service to meet personal and team expectations.
• Responsibility: take ownership of your work, use initiative to deliver, and take responsibility for your own actions and decisions.
• Teamwork: collaborate with others to reach a common goal, sharing information, supporting colleagues, and seeking expertise and solutions from relevant stakeholders.
• Leadership: lead by example through your behaviours and professional approach, inspiring colleagues and driving for results.
• Communication: 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.

Benefits:

• Staff discount on JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.