At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data and optimise product ranges for an iconic brand.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home to John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium, hybrid working, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in merchandising while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in forecasting, planning, and strong analytical skills required.
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.
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? We are looking for a Junior Merchandiser in Electricals. 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 Merchandising Manager 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 effective and comprehensive range planning and pricing architecture to deliver market leading assortments.
Salary - £34,000.00 - £51,500.00 is the full pay band. Contract type - This is a Permanent position. Working pattern/flexible working - This is a hybrid working role. The normal place of work for this role is our London Central Office in Pimlico. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days will vary across teams. 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 the support of the 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 Merchandiser, Buyer, 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 L6 Merchandiser 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 you’ll need
- Experience in Forecasting & Planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management.
- 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.
Closing Date: July 8, 2026. Pay: £34,000.00 - £51,100.00 Annual. Contract Type: Permanent. Hours of Work: 35. Job Level: Partnership Level 8. Where You'll Be Working: London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ.
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
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 also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. 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.
Junior Merchandiser, Electricals employer: John Lewis
Join an iconic brand as a Junior Merchandiser in Electricals at our vibrant Pimlico Head Office, where you will thrive in a collaborative environment that values your analytical skills and fosters personal growth. As part of the UK's largest employee-owned business, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while being rewarded for your efforts. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we empower our Partners to make a difference and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser, Electricals
✨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, 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser, Electricals
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, 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 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 that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨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!