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 working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the kids' 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.
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.
Essential skills & experience:
- 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.
Additional details:
- 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 in London employer: John Lewis plc
Join our dynamic team as a Junior Merchandiser in the heart of London, where we foster a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside competitive benefits including a Night Premium for late shifts. Our Pimlico Head Office provides a vibrant environment that encourages creativity and teamwork, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser - Own Brand Baby and Childrenswear and Accessories in London
✨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. Tailor your answers to highlight your analytical skills and merchandising experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in category management and stock optimisation clearly.
✨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 in London
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 relevant analytical skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our Baby/Kid's Own Brand Clothing & Accessories Team!
Show Off Your Skills:In your cover letter, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them in real situations. Talk about your experience with stock management, sales forecasting, and any tools like Excel or Tableau that you’ve mastered. We love a good story!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your achievements and experiences.
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 keep track of 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 your forecasting and planning techniques, and be ready to discuss how you've managed stock levels and sales in the past. Use specific examples to show your understanding of KPIs and how you can impact them.
✨Showcase Your Category Management Experience
Make sure to highlight any previous experience you have in owning and managing a product category. Talk about the strategies you've used for assortment planning and how you've maximised availability while keeping costs down. This will show that you understand the role's responsibilities.
✨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’ve used Business Intelligence or Tableau, mention specific projects where these tools helped you make data-driven decisions.
✨Build Relationships
The role involves working closely with various teams and suppliers. Be ready to talk about how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past. Share examples of how you’ve influenced stakeholders or managed relationships to achieve commercial success.
