Junior Merchandiser

Mint Velvet began when founders Liz Houghton and Lisa Agar-Rea set out to create an unfailingly chic collection of contemporary, great quality staples and elevated fits that they felt were missing from their wardrobes. Feeling frustrated that they couldn’t find anything they wanted to wear, or the great customer service they craved, they started fusing relaxed comfort with glamorous yet wearable fashion trends. Relaxed Glamour was born.

As collaborative creatives, we take pride in our work, designing with heart and soul. We want to be a force for good and are committed to becoming a more circular and responsible business, from the fabrics we choose to our considered processes. We are an agile and growing business, and we work hard to create an environment which allows for growth and progression, balanced with the support and flexibility needed to meet the challenge of a high-performance culture. Our leadership teams and founders sit amongst the teams and encourage a culture of balance and passion. MV is a very special place, and our values are anchored by three main pillars: people, planet, and community.

Our Values

• With Soul
• Courage & Resilience
• Passion & Drive
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Collaborative

The Role

• Articulate season plans, stretch plans and balance to achieve on a regular basis across the team to help identify opportunities and risks.
• Manage in-season OTB down to category and class level, continually reviewing with your Buyer to potentialise opportunities and minimise risk with the focus on learns from current trade, truly understanding and adapting plans based on current trends learns from digital.
• Support the creation of long-term strategies to optimise the trading performance of your product area, working with your Senior Merch to ensure this strategy is integrated with the wider product strategy.
• Provide insight and analysis on all channels - demonstrating your strong awareness of achieved margin, time constraints to go live, stocks and the maximum sales potential of each channel.
• Partner with your Buyer in developing and maintaining a sourcing strategy that ensures the optimal balance of margin, lead time flexibility and sustainability.
• Control your department stock levels effectively against plan, whilst challenging what correct stock levels should be in relation to current trade performance.
• Develop a strong working relationship with the imports team.
• Manage the Critical Path process from booking style to stock arriving in the business.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the wider business to deliver department and brand objectives.
• Regularly undertake competitor analysis - using your findings to highlight and act on any ideas, opportunities or concerns back in the Trading team.
• Inspire your team by communicating innovative ideas and solutions, which have commercial value.

What we’re looking for

• You consistently role model our Mint Velvet brand values.
• You have proven relevant trading experience, and are able to make brave and wise trading decisions at pace within the context of the macro environment.
• You’re highly numerate and analytical, which you balance with a real love of product.
• You are proactive at interrogating data to identify risks and opportunities, and devising action plans and resolutions for these.
• You’re resilient – able to adapt, respond and effectively lead your team through challenges.
• You take a collaborative approach ensuring there are no surprises – focusing on strong relationship-building and great communication with people at all levels.
• You’re brilliantly proactive and organised, able to manage priorities and ensure focuses are clear in a fast-moving context.
• You display an outstanding understanding of Mint Velvet’s market position and competitors.

You will be rewarded with

• Competitive starting salary and great career prospects in a fast paced and growing business.
• Company-funded private health insurance and access to Smart Health Life assurance.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Summer hours- 3pm finishes every Friday throughout June, July & August.
• Bespoke induction support and ongoing development to help you thrive in your new role.
• A welcoming and inspiring work-environment - take advantage of Yoga classes, social activities, an early finish on pay day and more.

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Product Management and Strategy/Planning

Industries: Retail Apparel and Fashion