At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and forecast retail merchandise globally, optimising stock investment and maximising sales performance.
- Company: Join the fun at Merlin, a leader in global entertainment and attractions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40% off LEGO products, 20 free attraction tickets, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant environment with opportunities for ongoing training and career development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes exciting product ranges and drives customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a Merchandiser to join our awesome Commercial Retail Team within our Corporate function!
As a Merchandiser for Merlin Brands, you will play a pivotal role in planning and forecasting retail merchandise across the globe, ensuring the right products are available at the right time while optimising stock investment. Using data-driven insights, you will work closely with Buying, Supply Chain and Attraction teams to maximise sales performance, maintain availability of best sellers and reduce excess or slow-moving stock.
You will support Buying with the development and execution of retail assortment strategies, helping to shape compelling product ranges aligned to commercial objectives. This includes analysing historical performance and trends, forecasting demand at SKU level and recommending actions to drive improvements in revenue, margin and stock efficiency. You will also monitor key KPIs, providing reporting and insights to influence decision-making and enhance overall performance.
In collaboration with cross-functional teams, you will ensure new attractions, stores and product launches are set up for success—balancing assortment, pricing, stock levels and visual presentation to drive customer spend. You will work closely with Supply Chain to manage order placement, ensuring stock targets and budgets are met.
Building strong relationships with regional attraction teams will be key, enabling you to gather local insights and respond to trading conditions effectively. You will act as a key point of contact for merchandising queries, proactively resolving challenges and identifying opportunities for improvement, while contributing to continuous enhancement of merchandising processes and systems.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in merchandising is essential, able to operate with a degree of autonomy and influence
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with merchandising or inventory systems is essential
- Exceptional prioritisation skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities
- Strong analytical and forecasting skills with excellent attention to detail
- Ability to interpret sales performance data and translate insights into actionable plans
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across cross-functional teams
- Proactive problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement approach
- Experience working with supply chain processes, stock management and forecasting cycles
- Understanding of pricing, margin and stock efficiency drivers
- Experience working with international suppliers is advantageous
- Familiarity with branded retail or entertainment environments is beneficial
Benefits
- 40% discount off LEGO sets and products on the online LEGO Store!
- Merlin Magic Pass: 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world!
- 25% discount in Merlin retail shops and restaurants (a brilliant extra treat when you’re using your Magic Pass to visit!)
- Staff discount codes for Merlin Annual Passes to gift to loved ones!
- Private pension scheme
- Life assurance scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Access to Perks at Work which 30,000+ national & local employee discounts
- Ongoing training & development
A job with Merlin isn’t like a job anywhere else. With attractions around the world, from rollercoasters to wax figures, we don’t trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles. In Memories. In magic. But there are no tricks behind our magic. Instead, there are people like you. Passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making sure our worldwide attractions and guests’ experiences are the best they can be.
If you have any questions or if you require any reasonable adjustments, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at recruitment@merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay Range: Competitive
Merchandiser in Chertsey employer: Merlin
At Merlin, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration. As a Merchandiser at our Technical Hub in Thorpe Park Resort, Surrey, you'll enjoy unique benefits such as a generous discount on LEGO products, access to free tickets for family and friends, and ongoing training opportunities to support your professional growth. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact the success of our global attractions, all while working in an environment that celebrates fun and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser in Chertsey
✨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 Merlin, 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 Merlin!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser in Chertsey
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 Merlin, 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 Merlin 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 Merlin that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin
✨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!
