At a Glance
- Tasks: Support merchandisers in managing product life cycles and stock management.
- Company: Join Gardiner Bros, a family-run business with a rich history and global partnerships.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, staff discounts, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in merchandising while working with top global brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or merchandising, strong Excel skills, and analytical abilities.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 17:00pm
Location: Stonehouse, GL10 3EZ – Hybrid (2-3 days in the office per week)
At Gardiner Bros, we believe how we treat people matters. Starting as a small family run business in 1860, we’ve grown into a multi-million-pound partner to over 80 global brands, including Skechers, Crocs, Hush Puppies, Muck Boots along with our own brands Amblers Safety and Cotswold. We are also proud to distribute to some of the UK's Largest Online, Highstreet, and Outdoor retailers.
What will the Junior Merchandiser role entail? In this role, you’ll support our merchandisers and buyers to manage the full product life cycle, from selection to forecasting and stock management. Ensuring we have the right products in the right quantities, at the right time.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring stock levels, sales performance and key KPIs, making recommendations to the wider Buying Team
- Supporting the management of availability, profitability, stock days, markdowns and SKU performance
- Analysing sales and stock trends to help inform future buying and range decisions
- Supporting the development and planning of product ranges, considering commercial and financial requirements
- Assisting with accurate stock forecasting based on sales trends and supplier performance
- Raising and managing supplier orders, ensuring documentation and invoices are accurately recorded
- Maintaining order trackers and proactively highlighting any delays or issues
- Building strong relationships with suppliers to ensure orders are placed and delivered on time
- Producing regular stock and sales reports and sharing key insights with the Merchandiser/Buyer
- Working closely with teams across Buying, Accounts, Sales, Customer Services, Ecommerce, B2C and Warehouse
- Supporting with supplier meetings, trade shows and customer visits when required
- Managing product samples, including receiving, organising, sorting and maintaining samples within the warehouse
- Providing general administrative support and ensuring records and documentation are kept accurate and up to date
What are we looking for in a Junior Merchandiser?
We are looking for someone who has experience of working in a buying or merchandising department, either as an assistant or a junior merchandiser, who is ready to build upon their existing skills and knowledge, or looking for a new challenge. You’ll be familiar with forecasting, seasonal trends, and handling large sets of product data.
Experience working within a merchandising or buying environment
- Strong excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP’s and formulas
- Excellent analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret large amounts of data
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Confident communication skills
- An understanding of forecasting, budgeting and sales/purchasing
- An understanding of critical paths and project management would be beneficial
- Experience in footwear, apparel, retail, or distribution? Great! If not, don’t worry—we’ll provide all the training needed.
Why Join us?
- 25 Days annual leave entitlement
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Generous staff discounts on all brands we supply
- Life Assurance & Company Pension
- Local Gym Membership Discount
- Free Mortgage advice & £0 Broker Fee
- Eyecare Vouchers
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know—we are happy to help!
Junior Merchandiser in Gloucester employer: Leathers
At Gardiner Bros, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values collaboration and personal growth. Located in Hardwicke, our team enjoys generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, enhanced family leave, and discounts across our brands, all while working in a dynamic environment that encourages skill development and meaningful contributions to our finance team. Join us to be part of a legacy that has thrived since 1860, where your efforts are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser in Gloucester
✨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 Leathers, 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 Leathers!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser in Gloucester
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 Leathers, 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 Leathers 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 Leathers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leathers
✨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!
