At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data and optimise product ranges in the Wall Decor category.
- Company: Join the iconic John Lewis Partnership, a leader in retail innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of ownership and collaboration in a dynamic workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product success while developing your merchandising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel.
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, in the Wall decor category.
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.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements. Salary - £34,000 to £51,500.00 However, we are looking for candidates up to £45K, depending on experience.
Contract type - This role is a Permanent contract.
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 support from your Merchandise Manager, 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 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:
- 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.
Important points to note: It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
At the John Lewis Partnership we’re not just employees; we’re co-owners, and that’s why we’re called Partners. Being a Partner means not only do we all collectively share the responsibilities of being the UK’s largest employee-owned business, but we also share in its rewards and successes. It’s this ownership model that makes the Partnership a very unique place to work.
Junior Merchandiser Home - Lighting and Wall Decor in London employer: John Lewis plc
John Lewis plc is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture at The Odney Hotel in the picturesque setting of Cookham, Berkshire. Employees benefit from competitive pay, flexible part-time hours, and opportunities for growth within a renowned company known for its commitment to customer service excellence. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser Home - Lighting and Wall Decor in London
✨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 Home - Lighting and Wall Decor in London
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!
