Assistant Merchandiser Advanced- Outlets

From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey. Being a part of M&S is exactly that – becoming a part and playing your part. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and always evolving business built on core values.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special:

• 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third party branded products for you and one member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
• Discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and our business performance.
• Cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).
• Support through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.
• Discounts and offers to save on everyday costs and access to great health benefits.
• Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.
• Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.
• Access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.
• Support for your favourite charities by donating through your pay or volunteering for them.
• Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

Your key accountabilities will include:

• 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 Markdown and availability.
• Analysis of sales identifying winners and losers and taking appropriate actions working in collaboration with stakeholders to react to trade and maximise sales opportunity for the Department.
• Booking quantities of products to meet launch and respond to in season variables for all channels in the UK and International.
• Assisting Department Plan review and lessons learned.
• Managing departmental documentation relating to all sale periods including markdown plans.
• Maintaining communication links to retail, channels, allocation, suppliers, sourcing offices and international.
• Implementing and exploiting new systems and processes.

Your skills and experience will include:

• Already working to Assistant Merchandiser level at a fast paced retailer.
• Core Merchandising skills including managing GSM, development of Department Plan, stock / commitment management, creating sales estimates, and production plans.
• Strong numerical, analytical and interpretive skills.
• Controlling unplanned in-season costs.
• Knowledge of M&S brand and sub-brand strategy.
• Able to fully utilise the relevant IT support systems and to be fully conversant with standard business desktop applications.
• Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Design, Buying and Technology.
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills.

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That’s why we’re revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.