At a Glance
- Tasks: Support merchandising strategy through sales forecasting and stock management.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leader in innovative retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail performance while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in merchandising processes.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working closely with Merchandising and Buying, this role supports the planning and delivery of the department, from forecasting and intake to markdown activity and in‑season trade. It is all about using insight to spot opportunities, respond to risk and help the team make the best decisions for the business and the customer. From maintaining key planning tools and trade analysis to supporting range reviews and seasonal planning, this role keeps the team informed, organised and ready to act. By building strong partnerships with Sourcing and Supply Chain, it helps keep delivery on track and ensures decisions are supported by accurate data and clear insight. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working at pace, brings strong commercial judgement and is confident using data to make decisions. With the chance to work across teams and make a visible contribution to performance, it offers real scope to grow, add value and help shape the success of the UK Outlets business.
What you’ll do:
- Supporting the delivery of department strategy through ownership of sales, stock and intake forecasts, ensuring strong availability and effective markdown management across the Outlets channel.
- Analysing in‑season trade to identify opportunities and risks, taking action with cross‑functional teams to maximise sales and optimise stock performance.
- Partnering with Merchandising and Buying teams to build and execute quarterly range and intake plans, ensuring the right products and quantities are delivered at launch and throughout the season.
- Leading key planning activity, including range reviews, lessons learned and maintenance of accurate planning tools and markdown documentation to support informed decision making.
- Managing the end‑to‑end critical path in collaboration with Sourcing and Supply Chain teams, while maintaining awareness of competitor activity to inform pricing and product strategy.
Who you are:
- Strong core merchandising capability, including sales and stock planning, forecasting, intake management and markdown control to drive profitable department performance.
- Solid understanding of the end‑to‑end buy‑to‑store process, with the ability to manage the critical path and ensure timely delivery across the Outlets operation.
- Highly analytical and numerate, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends and use insights to inform decisions and maximise sales opportunities.
- Confident using systems and tools, with advanced Excel skills and the ability to quickly adapt to new and evolving merchandising technology.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across Buying, Design, Sourcing and wider business teams while managing competing priorities with organisation and pace.
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.
About the company:
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. 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.
Asst Merchandiser - Outlets 12 Month FTC in London employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Paddington Support Office where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous colleague discount, and a commitment to inclusivity, we empower our team members to grow and make impactful contributions to the success of our Outlets business. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values your insights and fosters a culture of support and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Asst Merchandiser - Outlets 12 Month FTC in London
✨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 Asst Merchandiser - Outlets 12 Month FTC 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 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.
