At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive planning and stock management for M&S international websites and digital marketplaces.
- Company: Join the innovative team at Marks & Spencer, transforming global retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in international merchandising.
- Qualifications: Strong merchandising experience and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
We're taking the magic of M&S global. As our international business grows, we're transforming the way we work, embracing innovation and making it easier for customers everywhere to enjoy our trusted Fashion, Home & Beauty, and Food products. Ready to take M&S to millions more customers? Join our International Merchandising team as a Junior Merchandiser and help drive planning, stock management and profitable growth across M&S international websites and digital marketplaces.
As a Junior Merchandiser working across all international online channels, you will play a key role in driving the growth and profitability of M&S international websites and digital marketplaces, including platforms such as Amazon and Zalando. Working at the heart of a fast-paced, commercial team, you will take ownership of planning and trading activity, managing stock across our international websites and marketplace channels. You will maintain and re-forecast the WSSI, manage sales budgets and OTB, analyse seasonal buys and turn weekly trading data into clear actions. In close partnership with the Merchandiser and teams across trading, partnerships, logistics, digital and international markets, you will influence channel decisions, optimise stock and sales, and help deliver the commercial plan while maintaining exceptional brand standards.
This is a full-time role based at our Paddington Support Office a minimum of three days a week.
What You'll Do
- Maintain and continuously re-forecast the WSSI using channel-led metrics, ensuring visibility of performance across all channels and identifying clear risks and opportunities, under the guidance of the Merchandiser.
- Manage the Business Unit (BU)/department retail sales budget, using MFP and other planning tools to generate an OTB that you own and are accountable for delivering in line with the commercial plan.
- Analyse forward seasonal buys, working closely with partnership teams to challenge and influence channels alongside the Merchandiser to optimise trade and maximise sales.
- Drive the weekly trade with consistency and discipline, using data-driven insights to identify risks, highlight opportunities and recommend required actions.
- Champion efficient ways of working, supporting process consistency across merchandising teams and guiding Assistant Merchandisers where needed.
Who You Are
- Strong merchandising experience, including maintaining and re-forecasting a WSSI and identifying commercial risks and opportunities.
- Highly numerate, with strong analytical and interpretive skills and confidence using MFP, OTB and other planning tools.
- Commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge and influence channel and partnership teams to optimise seasonal buys and trading performance.
- A disciplined approach to weekly trade, with the ability to translate performance metrics into clear recommendations and actions.
- Excellent communication, influencing and organisational skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and guide Assistant Merchandisers where needed.
What's in it for you?
- 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.
- 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're reinventing, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're redefining 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.
Junior Merchandiser - International online employer: Marks & Spencer Group
Join M&S as a Customer Assistant in our Food section, where you'll be part of a dynamic team that values hard work and dedication. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Located in Wolstanton, you will enjoy the benefits of working for one of the UK's fastest-growing retailers, with opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career while delivering exceptional service to our valued customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Merchandiser - International online
✨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 & Spencer Group, 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 & Spencer Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Merchandiser - International online
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 & Spencer Group, 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 & Spencer Group 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 & Spencer Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Group
✨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!
