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- Tasks: Support merchandising operations and keep museum shops fully stocked and organised.
- Company: Join the Science Museum Group, a leading national museum with a vibrant retail environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, health insurance, and great discounts on exhibitions and shops.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in merchandising while working in a unique and inspiring environment.
- Qualifications: No specific experience needed; just bring your organisational skills and passion for customer service.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working pattern and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Are you looking to start your career in merchandising and build practical experience in a fast-moving retail environment at a national museum?
The Science Museum Group (SMG) manage five National museums each with shops and online stores, with an annual turnover in excess of £5million. SMG stock a wide range of product categories including toys, clothing, apparel and food. The Merchandising team at SMG help to ensure the products we sell are relevant, engaging and profitable, and ensure our retail spaces are appropriately stocked with the items our visitors want.
As Merchandising Assistant, you'll play a vital role at the heart of our retail operation, acting as the first point of contact for the Merchandising team, helping to keep our museum shops fully stocked and performing against sales targets in a high-volume administrative setting. You'll maintain administrative systems and processes that support our merchandising activity. As a key contact for enquiries, you'll also support the EPoS system and work closely with colleagues across the retail department to resolve issues efficiently and communicate sales information clearly. You will also support with maintaining spreadsheets for monitoring data, and generally ensuring the team runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. This will also include raising purchase orders and processing invoice requests, working alongside the finance team to complete these tasks.
We offer a hybrid working pattern, with a minimum of two days onsite.
We accept administration experience gained in different ways; top priorities are delivering high-quality customer service, paying careful attention to detail, and keeping tasks well organized. Having previously supported a busy, varied team; you will be well organised, have good IT skills particularly Excel, and collaborate effectively with colleagues. Open-minded and attentive, you engage well with diverse colleagues and find satisfaction in working together. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for an entry level position in a Merchandising team and looking to take on more to progress their career and personal development.
Not sure if you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
What we offer:
- Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Health & Dental Insurance. Extra peace of mind, from day one.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
Merchandising Assistant employer: Nationalmuseums
Contact Detail:
Nationalmuseums Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the merchandising field, especially those at the Science Museum Group. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the museum's products and current trends in merchandising. Show us you’re passionate about what we do and how you can contribute to our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. As a Merchandising Assistant, you'll be the go-to person for queries. Being clear and confident will help you shine during interviews and in the role itself.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Merchandising: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for merchandising! Share any relevant experiences or interests that connect you to the role. We love candidates who are excited about retail and eager to learn.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: Since this role involves a lot of administrative tasks, make sure your application reflects your organisational skills. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to show us you can keep things tidy and efficient.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Merchandising Assistant role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match what we’re looking for in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you have all the latest info about the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nationalmuseums
✨Know Your Merchandising Basics
Before the interview, brush up on key merchandising concepts. Understand product categories, sales strategies, and how inventory management works. This will show your enthusiasm for the role and help you engage in meaningful conversations with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Merchandising Assistant, being organised is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Highlight your attention to detail and how you keep things running smoothly, as this will resonate well with the team.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Excel
Since good IT skills, particularly in Excel, are essential for this role, make sure you can discuss your proficiency confidently. If you have experience with spreadsheets, data monitoring, or any relevant software, be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these tools effectively.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
The role involves working closely with various colleagues, so be prepared to discuss your teamwork experiences. Share instances where you collaborated with others to solve problems or achieve goals, showcasing your open-mindedness and ability to engage with diverse teams.
