At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial ownership in Fashion Clothing, driving sales and stock efficiency.
- Company: Join MandM, a top online off-price retailer in Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday allowance, staff discounts, and paid volunteer days.
- Other info: Work in a modern office designed for collaboration and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your merchandising skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and leadership capabilities.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract (Starting in October 2026)
Working Pattern: Hybrid
The Opportunity
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. As our business continues to grow we are recruiting for a talented Merchandiser to join our growing team. Why not come be a part of our journey to success and take advantage of all MandM can offer you!
More than a role
- Giving Back: 2 paid volunteer days to support the causes you care about
- Career Growth: Opportunity to grow
- Staff Discounts: Stay stylish with our exclusive discounts.
- Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy 5 weeks of well-deserved breaks. You even have the option to buy an extra week
- Birthday Delight: Take your special day off to celebrate YOU
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.
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.
Merchandiser in Hereford employer: MandM
MandM is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant heart of Hereford City Centre, offering a modern workspace designed for collaboration and creativity. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide generous benefits including 2 days of paid volunteering, exclusive staff discounts, and a flexible holiday allowance, all while fostering a culture that values mentorship and impactful contributions to user experience design. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the digital landscape and advance your career in a supportive, innovative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser in Hereford
✨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 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 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 MandM:Don’t forget to personalise your application for MandM! 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 MandM
✨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 MandM 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 MandM and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
