At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and optimise bed linen ranges using your analytical skills.
- Company: Join a leading home retailer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium, hybrid working, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the home sector while developing your merchandising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in forecasting, planning, and strong analytical skills required.
We are looking for a Junior Merchandiser to join our Bed Linens within the Home Directorate. You will use your analytical and commercial skills to plan and optimise the best range for customers within your category.
Salary: £34,000 - £51,500 (depending on experience up to £46K). Permanent position. Hybrid working with a minimum of three days per week in the office. Location: London Central Office, Pimlico.
Key Responsibilities- Accurately plan and forecast sales, stock, profit, and SKUs for your category, with support from the L6 Merchandiser and Trade Planning team.
- Ensure commercial and customer success of your product range through range planning and agile in-season trading, using analysis and reporting from Product Operations.
- Manage the flow of stock via Merchandising Assistants, controlling inventory levels and open-to-buy.
- Maximise availability across channels while minimising inventory holding and other supply chain costs.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Merchandiser, Buyer, Head of Merchandising, Supply Chain, Trade Planning, Sourcing, Trading Operations, Design and Product Technology.
- Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and brands.
- Forecast assortment sales, stock and margin KPIs; decide open-to-buy parameters that meet commercial and customer targets.
- Make season trading and volume decisions along with commercial terms and product lifecycle agreements with suppliers.
- Task‑manage relevant Merchandising Assistants.
- Experience in forecasting & planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management.
- Experience in BTA preparation, margin modelling and flow planning.
- Demonstrated merchandising practices, including assortment planning and stock management.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and similar analytical tools.
- Proficiency in reporting tools such as Business Intelligence and Tableau.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Understanding of retail operations and supply chain management.
- Proactive approach to learning and development.
Junior Merchandiser, Bed Linens employer: John Lewis plc
Join our dynamic team as a Junior Merchandiser in the heart of London, where you'll have the opportunity to develop your analytical and commercial skills in a supportive and collaborative environment. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of growth and innovation, offering competitive salaries, hybrid working arrangements, and additional night premium pay, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in retail merchandising.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser, Bed Linens
✨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 Junior Merchandiser, Bed Linens
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!
