At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Merchandiser in achieving sales targets and managing stock forecasts.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer with a strong sense of purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an inclusive team driving innovation in retail.
- Qualifications: Core merchandising skills and strong analytical abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
- Description
- Please note this role is a 12 month FTC
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
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
- 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
- Assisting the Merchandiser and Buying team to formulate a detailed plan on the products to be offered each quarter across all channels inc International
- 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 accurate listings in Range Planner
- Working with Sourcing Offices to manage critical path from buy to delivery for each stroke including global capacity management and the agreement and monitoring of global production plans with suppliers
- Providing information to Space Planning & Development team to allow them to generate layout plans to stores
- Maintaining awareness of competition’s product offer to provide input into price point strategy and catalogue by shape of chain
- Maintaining communication links to retail, channels, allocation, suppliers, sourcing offices and international
- Implementing and exploiting new systems and processes
- Assist the International team to maximise M&S departmental sales during International Buying events
Who you are
- Core Merchandising skills including managing GSM, development of Department Plan, stock / commitment management, creating sales estimates, and production plans
- Knowledge of the end to end buy to store process
- Controlling unplanned in-season costs
- Negotiation skills (managing in season unplanned costs)
- Knowledge of M&S brand and sub-brand strategy
- Able to fully utilise the relevant IT support systems, (Range Planner, SSI, SAS Reporting, JDA Merch Planning) and to be fully conversant with standard business desktop applications
- Strong numerical, analytical and interpretive skills
- Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Design, Buying and Technology
- Strong interpersonal/ communication skills
- Influencing (internal & external)
- Everyone's Welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail.
We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era.
We’re 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.
#LI-CA1
Assistant Merchandiser Womenswear Brands - 12 month FTC employer: Marks & Spencer
Joining M&S as a Senior Technical Program Manager means becoming part of a vibrant and inclusive team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With competitive benefits like a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, M&S fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. Located in a dynamic environment, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects while enjoying a supportive work-life balance and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser Womenswear Brands - 12 month FTC
✨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 Assistant Merchandiser Womenswear Brands - 12 month FTC
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 Marks & Spencer:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Marks & Spencer! 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 Marks & Spencer
✨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 Marks & Spencer 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 Marks & Spencer and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
