At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and optimise a category for Baby and Childrenswear using analytical skills.
- Company: Join a leading retail brand with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while developing your merchandising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Junior Merchandiser to join the Baby/Kid's Own Brand Clothing & Accessories Team. The role requires owning and managing a category, using 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 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 Assistants relevant to your product category, ensuring they have clear guidelines.
In addition to contract pay, any time worked between 22:00 and 06:00 will attract Night Premium at £4.75 per hour.
Key responsibilities- Accurately plan and forecast sales, stock, profit and SKUs for your category with support of the L6 Merchandiser and Trade Planning team.
- Account for commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in‑season trading, using analysis and reporting from Product Operations.
- Through Merchandising Assistants, manage the flow of stock for your office, controlling inventory levels and open‑to‑buy.
- Maximise availability across channels whilst minimising inventory holding costs and other supply‑chain costs.
- Work at pace and with agility within a collaborative environment with Merchandisers, Buyers, Supply Chain, Trade Planning, sourcing, Trading Operations, Design and Product Technology.
- Hold a strong relationship with suppliers and brands.
- Forecast assortment sales, stock and margin KPIs, decide Open‑to‑Buy parameters that meet commercial and customer targets.
- Make seasonal trading and volume decisions along with commercial terms and product lifecycle with suppliers.
- Task‑manage relevant Merchandising Assistants.
- Proven experience in owning and managing a category; experience in forecasting & planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management.
- Experience in BTA preparation, margin modelling and flow planning.
- Demonstrated 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.
- Salary: £34,000.00 – £51,100.00 per annum (band); we are looking for candidates up to £45K depending on experience.
- Contract type: Permanent.
- Hours of work: 35 per week.
- Working pattern: Hybrid – 3 days in office at Pimlico Head Office, remaining days from home.
- Location: Pimlico Head Office, London (1 Drummond Gate, SW1V 2QQ).
- Closing date: 7 June 2026.
Junior Merchandiser - Own Brand Baby and Childrenswear and Accessories employer: John Lewis plc
Join our dynamic team as a Junior Merchandiser in the heart of London, where you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our Baby and Childrenswear category. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth and development, offering competitive salaries and additional benefits such as a Night Premium for late shifts. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact but also provides a supportive environment to enhance your skills and advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser - Own Brand Baby and Childrenswear and Accessories
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show that you understand their brand and how you can contribute to their success as a Junior Merchandiser. Bring your A-game with examples of your analytical skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience in category management and merchandising confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 - Own Brand Baby and Childrenswear and Accessories
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Merchandiser role. Highlight your experience in category management, forecasting, 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! Give examples of how you've successfully managed stock or improved sales in previous roles. We love a good story that showcases your abilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being 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 plc
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Junior Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics like sales forecasts, stock levels, and margin KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to make informed decisions.
✨Showcase Your Category Management Experience
Make sure to highlight any experience you have in managing a product category. Talk about specific examples where you successfully planned and optimised ranges, and how you influenced stakeholders to achieve commercial success.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Since proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel and reporting software is essential, be prepared to discuss your experience with these. If you can, bring examples of reports or analyses you've created that had a positive impact on your previous roles.
✨Build Relationships
The role involves working closely with various teams and suppliers. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and communication in a fast-paced environment.
