At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team managing stock and driving sales across product categories.
- Company: John Lewis, a renowned retail brand with a strong partnership culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium pay, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Analytical mindset and ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
About the role
You will be joining an experienced team of Merchandising Partners in the John Lewis Commercial team responsible for managing millions of pounds of stock each week across all product categories. This fast‑paced environment has seasonal ebbs and flows, and you will work mainly with one product category, building relationships with internal teams and external suppliers. You will have an active say in how we operate, performing daily analysis around key operational areas such as stock flow and supplier availability and proposing actions to support trading activity. The role is hybrid; you must work a minimum of three days per week in the London Central Office in Pimlico.
In addition to contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 and 06:00 will attract a night premium of £4.25 per hour, which also applies to existing Partners on Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Key responsibilities
- Use various systems to run and create reports in order to conduct analysis of sales and stock levels.
- Maintain and adjust forecasts at a product level using insight and analysis to allocate stock to shops and online to support promotions, marketing campaigns, and new season launches.
- Build effective relationships with internal teams (Merchandisers, Buyers, Supply Chain, Product Category Teams) and external suppliers to support category profitability.
- Raise orders with suppliers based on product‑level forecasts, move orders to drive availability, and chase late or missing orders.
- Maximise availability and minimise out‑of‑stocks across all channels (shops and online) and identify opportunities to drive trade.
Essential skills
- Analytical mindset with experience of analysing data and using facts to make recommendations.
- Ability to build strong relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and work collaboratively.
- Understanding of the importance of making well‑informed decisions that support key business objectives.
- Experience of working in an agile way and prioritising workloads effectively in a high‑pressure environment.
Desirable skills
- Accuracy and good attention to detail.
- Proactive use of initiative with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Understanding of the John Lewis Partnership and the wider retail industry.
- Advanced knowledge of either Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel would be an advantage.
Compensation and work arrangements
Salary band: £28,000 – £38,900 per annum (target salary up to £32,000). Hours of work: 35 per week. The role is permanent and classified as Partnership Level 9.
Location
London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ. Minimum of three days per week onsite.
Other information
Pre‑employment vetting, including DBS checks for successful candidates, may be required.
Merchandising Assistant employer: John Lewis plc
At John Lewis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London. Our culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth while ensuring a healthy work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements. With competitive pay, including night premiums, and a commitment to employee development, joining our team as a Merchandising Assistant means becoming part of a supportive community dedicated to excellence in retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising Assistant
✨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 Merchandising Assistant
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!
