At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data and optimise product ranges for an iconic brand in the Home category.
- Company: Join a renowned brand with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in merchandising while working with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in forecasting, planning, and home merchandising is essential.
- Other info: Enjoy a flexible work environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 45000 £ per year.
About the role
Would you like to work for an iconic brand? Are you great at analysing data and building relationships? Do you have experience in range planning? If so, this might be the perfect role for you! We are looking for a Junior Merchandising Manager in our Home Directorate. You will use your analytical and commercial skills to plan and optimise the best range for customers within your category. You will work under the guidance of the Category Lead to deliver your agreed KPIs, including sales, profit, stock, SKUs, availability, margin and risk management. You will maximise opportunities as they arise and lead the in‑season trading to potentialise the outcome for both customers and your category. You will task‑manage Merchandising Assistant/s relevant to your product category, ensuring they have clear guidelines to fulfil their role. You will analyse commercial inputs to develop, with the Buyer, the best range of products supported by an effective and comprehensive range planning and pricing architecture to deliver market‑leading assortments.
Salary - £34,000 to £51,500.00 However, we are looking for candidates up to £45K, depending on experience
Contract type - This is a Permanent role
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home‑based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Merchandising team aim for a minimum of around 3 days a week in the office
Location - This role is based at our Pimlico Head Office campus.
Key responsibilities
- You will be accountable for accurately planning and forecasting sales, stock, profit and SKUs for your category with oversight from your Merchandise Manager with the support of the L6 Merchandiser and Trade Planning team.
- You will be accountable for the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in‑season trading, using analysis and reporting from Product Operations.
- Through the Merchandising Assistants you will manage the flow of stock for your office, controlling inventory levels and open to buy.
- You are accountable for maximising availability across channels whilst minimising inventory holding costs and other supply chain costs.
- You will work at pace and with agility within a collaborative environment with your Buyer, Merchandise Manager, Buying Manager, Head of Merchandising, Supply Chain, Trade Planning, Sourcing, Trading Operations team, Design and Product Technology.
- Externally you will hold a strong relationship with your supplier and Brands.
- With support from your L6 Merchandiser and oversight from your Merchandise Manager you will be accountable for forecasting assortment Sales, Stock and Margin KPIs, deciding Open To Buy parameters that meet commercial and customer targets.
- In collaboration with Buying, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers.
- You will Task Manage relevant Merchandising Assistant partner/s in your team.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Experience in Forecasting & Planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management
- Proven Experience in Home Merchandising
- Experience in BTA preparation, margin modelling and flow planning
- Ability to demonstrate experience in merchandising practices, including assortment planning and stock management
- Strong Analytical and Numerical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or similar analytical tools
- Proficiency in reporting tools such as Business Intelligence, Tableau
- Communication and Presentation Skills
- Understanding of Retail Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Proactive Approach to Learning and Development
Junior Merchandiser – Home employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser – Home
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show them you know their brand inside out and how your skills can help them achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to make decisions. They’ll want to see your thought process in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser – Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Merchandiser role. Highlight your experience in range planning and any analytical skills you have. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Skills: In your cover letter, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Talk about specific examples where you've successfully forecasted sales or managed stock levels. This will help us see your potential impact on our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and make sure your language is professional yet approachable. We appreciate a straightforward approach!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to track your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Junior Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills. Brush up on your forecasting and planning knowledge, especially around sales, stock, and margin KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to make informed decisions.
✨Showcase Your Range Planning Experience
Make sure to highlight any experience you have with range planning and assortment management. Prepare specific examples of how you've optimised product ranges in previous roles, and be ready to discuss the impact of your decisions on sales and customer satisfaction.
✨Build Relationships
This role involves collaboration with various teams and suppliers. Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships or influenced stakeholders. Being able to communicate effectively and work well with others is key, so share your experiences in this area.
✨Excel at Excel
Since advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential, be prepared to discuss your skills. You might even want to brush up on some functions or tools that are commonly used in merchandising. If you have experience with reporting tools like Tableau, mention that too!