At a Glance
- Tasks: Support stock management and profitability for Ralph Lauren clothing and accessories.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home of John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £38,900, hybrid working, and flexible arrangements.
- Other info: Enjoy a purpose-driven culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sales growth while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Strong numerical skills and experience in merchandising or data analytics preferred.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 38900 £ per year.
Overview
John Lewis Fashion is seeking a Category Assistant for Ralph Lauren to join the commercial team.
The role covers Mens, Womens and Kids clothing and accessories, and involves collaboration with internal matrix teams.
The Category Assistant supports stock management, availability, and profitability across Ralph Lauren product categories, delivering a premium customer experience and assisting sales growth.
Responsibilities
- Own the stock flow process to maximise sales and availability; manage spend within budget and reduce overstocks and markdowns.
- Manage stock levels at a SKU level to maximise sales and availability, working to Open To Buy.
- Analyse weekly sales performance and take actions to maintain stock levels in line with category budgets and strategy.
- Manage product forecasts to accurately calculate stock requirements, applying logical reasoning and commercial knowledge using data sets.
- Use forecasts and insight to ensure correct channel mix (online vs branch) of stock using the replenishment system and relevant RPAs, maximising availability and profitability.
- Use data and insight to identify commercial opportunities and contribute to the department strategy; show confidence in data‑driven decision making.
- Maintain availability and ensure Core lines are never out of stock; report on availability metrics.
- Support communication between John Lewis and Ralph Lauren to align on trading plans and product availability.
- Complete and manage Smartsheets including exporting, OC checks and Continuity Price Checks across offices.
- End-to-end management of product launches including imagery, selling text and maintaining high online standards across offices.
- Own all PRL promotional activity and markdowns including NKU across all offices, focusing on both sales and customer satisfaction.
- Execute administrative tasks across critical path management, range building, marketing, and trading activities.
- Work closely with Category Merchandisers and Buyers on daily merchandising activities to ensure a profitable assortment and the seamless setup and launch of new products.
- Be agile, responding to changing trade priorities; work independently and make confident decisions.
Qualifications
- Strong numerical and analytical skills; able to communicate, influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Time management and prioritisation; project and milestone management.
- Experience of working with range plans, critical path, assortment review, and marketing nomination processes.
- Proactive approach to learning and development.
- Desirable: experience in merchandising and buying; data analytics; advanced MS Excel and Google Sheets; retail experience; experience in an operational team; experience with automated processes.
About the Company
We are the largest employee‑owned business in the UK and home of John Lewis and Waitrose. Partners share ownership and contribute to a purpose‑driven culture.
Benefits and Terms
Expected salary up to £28,000–£38,900 depending on experience.
This is a permanent role with a hybrid working pattern (mixture of office and home-based).
The Commercial teams aim for approximately 3 days per week in the office.
Flexible working arrangements may be possible (hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts).
Please discuss during your interview.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Assistant - Ralph Lauren
✨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 John Lewis plc, 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 John Lewis plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Assistant - Ralph Lauren
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 John Lewis plc, 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 John Lewis plc 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 John Lewis plc that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis plc
✨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!
