At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data and optimise product ranges for our Men's Accessories team.
- Company: Join an iconic brand with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in merchandising while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising and strong analytical skills required.
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 Merchandiser to join our Men's Accessories team.
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 Merchandiser and 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 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 £51,100. However, we are looking for candidates up to £45,000, depending on experience.
Contract type - This is a fixed term contract to 31st July 2027.
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 oversight from your Merchandising Manager with the support of the Merchandiser.
- 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 to support decision-making.
- 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, Merchandising 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 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 seasonal trading decisions, quantify buy volumes with analysis and reasoning, input into commercial terms as needed and manage product lifecycles with the suppliers.
- You will Task Manage relevant Merchandising Assistant partner(s) in your team.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Proven experience in Merchandising
- Experience in forecasting & planning, WSSI management, influencing & stakeholder management
- Experience in financial sign offs, numerical modelling and stock 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 26, 2026
Pay: £34,000.00 - £51,100.00 Annual
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: 35
Job Level: Partnership Level 8
Where You'll Be Working: London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
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.
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 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, Men's Accessories employer: John Lewis
As a Retail Sales Assistant at John Lewis in Horsham, you will be part of a renowned company that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture. With competitive pay and the opportunity for uncapped commission, you can grow your skills in a dynamic retail environment while enjoying flexible working hours. John Lewis is committed to employee development, ensuring that you have access to training and growth opportunities that make your role both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser, Men's Accessories
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser, Men's Accessories
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to John Lewis:Don’t forget to personalise your application for John Lewis! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that John Lewis offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at John Lewis and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
