At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising for Fashion Clothing, driving sales and stock efficiency.
- Company: Join MandM, a top online off-price retailer in Herefordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, staff discounts, generous holiday allowance, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative workspace designed for creativity and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
About The Role
We are undergoing an exciting period of positive change and implementing brand-new planning systems across our merchandising team. We are looking for a Merchandiser to step into a 1-year maternity cover role to lead commercial ownership across our Fashion Clothing division. Working closely with multiple Buyers and reporting directly to the Head of Merchandising, you will have true category ownership, balancing strategic planning with reactive trading to drive growth. If you are passionate about online retail, commercial growth, and turning insight into margin and stock efficiency, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact while building a distinct off-price skill set.
Who Are we?
MandM is one of the biggest employers in Herefordshire and one of Europe’s leading online, off-price retailers, selling branded Fashion, Sport & Outdoor products for Men, Women and Children. We offer our customers fantastic value by partnering with companies who we have built long term relationships with, enabling us to offer our customers big household names and up-and-coming brands, giving fantastic value all year round. We are located in the heart of Hereford City Centre in our brand new, state of the art office. The modern, stylish workspace was designed to encourage collaborative working, teamwork and creativity - everything that MandM is all about.
The Role Scope
The Merchandiser holds commercial ownership for driving sales, margin, and stock turn across Fashion Clothing. Partnering with multiple Buyers and direct line managing one Merchandising Assistant, you will execute product strategies across our UK and European websites to optimise commercial performance and maintain a balanced, profitable range in a fast-paced environment.
Role key responsibilities:
- Lead the creation and management of seasonal sales, profit, and stock budgets.
- Manage the Open-to-Buy (OTB) framework to protect margin and cash flow.
- Drive weekly trading performance, analyse product lifecycles, and implement reactive trading plans.
- Formulate and execute markdown and promotional strategies to maximise profit, optimise stock turn, and reduce terminal stock.
- Partner with Buying to build a balanced, commercial, and customer-centric range aligned with price architecture.
- Use market insight, competitor benchmarking, and trend analysis to inform range building.
- Oversee end-to-end inventory health, managing intake flow and commitments to meet trading requirements.
- Line manage, coach, and develop a Merchandising Assistant, fostering a culture of commercial curiosity and high performance.
- Build collaborative relationships across Operations, Buying, and Marketing.
- Champion new planning systems and operational processes to enhance department efficiency.
About You
What we’re looking for:
- Proven Merchandising Experience: Currently working as a Merchandiser within an online/e-commerce retail setting, ideally with background knowledge in fashion clothing.
- Balanced Skillset: Strong, demonstrated capability in balancing seasonal range planning/OTB management with fast-paced, reactive weekly trading.
- Commercial & Analytical Acumen: Advanced Excel capabilities and strong familiarity with retail dynamic metrics, WSSI, customer behaviour, and inventory optimisation.
- People Leadership: Experience coaching or managing direct reports, with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, private retail environment with an entrepreneurial 'can-do' attitude and eagerness to contribute to strategic changes.
Why Join MandM?
- Shape the Future: Be part of a transforming function where you can directly influence processes and help roll out brand-new planning systems.
- Category Ownership: Enjoy high autonomy and end-to-end commercial ownership across Fashion Clothing while managing a dedicated Merchandising Assistant.
- Distinct Off-Price Model: Gain unique skills and insight working within Europe's leading off-price e-commerce environment.
About Us
Our Values At MandM, our employees are driven by a shared commitment to excellence and making a real impact in the industry. We pride ourselves on upholding these core values in everything we do.
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Accountability
- Entrepreneurial approach
Merchandiser in Hereford employer: MandM Direct Limited
MandM Direct Limited is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in Hereford, England. With a hybrid working model, employees enjoy the flexibility of remote work while engaging in meaningful projects that drive quality and automation in engineering. The company prioritises employee growth through mentorship opportunities and encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, making it a rewarding place for professionals looking to advance their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser in Hereford
✨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 MandM Direct Limited, 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 MandM Direct Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser in Hereford
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 MandM Direct Limited, 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 MandM Direct Limited 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 MandM Direct Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at MandM Direct Limited
✨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!
