At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Merchandiser in planning and trading for our outlet business.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leader in retail innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Develop your merchandising skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Core merchandising skills and advanced Excel proficiency required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are looking for a proactive and commercially aware Assistant Merchandiser to join our Outlets Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the successful planning, trading, and performance of our outlet business.
Working closely with the Merchandiser, you will help manage product from initial buy through to store, ensuring the right stock is available at the right time to meet customer demand and deliver business objectives. You will take ownership of designated product areas where required, using data and insights to make informed decisions that drive sales, maximise profitability, and optimise stock performance.
The role will involve monitoring sales, stock levels, and key performance indicators, identifying opportunities and risks, and implementing in-season trading actions to maximise sales and profit. You will support forecasting, stock allocation, replenishment, and promotional activity, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure departmental plans are executed effectively.
The successful candidate will be highly organised, analytical, and confident working with numbers, with a strong commercial mindset and a passion for product. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop merchandising expertise within a fast-paced retail environment while contributing to the continued success of our Outlets business.
What you'll do
- Supporting the Merchandiser in agreeing the strategy and targets for creating and achieving pre and in season Range sales and stock forecasts by channel in addition to GSM Markdown and availability.
- Booking quantities of products to meet launch and respond to in season variables for the Outlet channel.
- Planning and execution of option plan at grade as part of product range plan.
- Assisting Department strategy and budget Plan review and lessons learned.
- Maintaining accurate listings for grading and product cataloguing.
Who you are
- Core Merchandising skills including managing GSM, development of Department Plan, stock/commitment management, creating sales estimates, and production plans.
- Advanced excel skills.
- Knowledge of the end to end buy to store process.
- Controlling unplanned in-season costs.
- Negotiation skills (managing in season unplanned costs).
What's in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We're inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you've completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone's welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We are disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We are transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
Assistant Merchandiser Outlets in London employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of London that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Technical Programme Manager, you will have access to extensive employee growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on customer experiences through cutting-edge technology and loyalty initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser Outlets in London
✨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 Marks and Spencer, 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 Marks and Spencer!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandiser Outlets in London
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 Marks and Spencer, 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 Marks and Spencer 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 Marks and Spencer that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨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!
