At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse market trends and develop range structures for the Home department.
- Company: Join a leading retail brand with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy a profit-related bonus, private health insurance, and a generous staff discount.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the Home team while developing your merchandising skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Home products and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
The Role
We are looking for an Assistant Merchandiser to join the Home team. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make an impact and contribute to the continuing success of the Home department.
What You’ll Take On
- Formulate Range Structure Proposals: Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to identify opportunities and develop range structures that align with brand positioning and target market. Present proposals outlining assortment plans, pricing strategies, and key product features.
- Present in Formal Meetings: Prepare visually engaging presentations that effectively communicate range proposals. Clearly articulate rationale behind proposals, incorporating data and insights. Address questions and concerns from stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
- Appraise Performance and Propose Strategies: Evaluate previous season performance, departmental metrics, and supplier performance. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and propose strategies to address performance gaps and capitalise on opportunities.
- Build Relationships with Suppliers: Cultivate open communication and collaboration with suppliers, establishing trust and transparency in negotiations and business dealings.
- Plan and Review Capacity and Production: Forecast demand accurately to plan capacity and production schedules. Coordinate with suppliers to ensure timely production and regularly review progress against production targets and adjust plans as needed.
- Maintain Merchandise Systems: Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems by updating data regularly. Confirm supplier contracts and maintain forecasts, inventory levels. Conduct regular audits to identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Control Spend: Review budgets regularly to monitor spending and identify opportunities for cost savings. Analyse spending patterns and implement strategies to optimise allocation of resources. Negotiate favourable terms with suppliers to achieve cost efficiencies.
- Monitor In‑Season Performance: Track sales performance, inventory levels, and markdowns throughout the season. Identify trends and patterns to make informed decisions and adjustments. Implement strategies to maximise profitability and minimise risk.
What You’ll Bring
- Home Experience: Experience working with Home products as an Assistant or a Trainee ready for your first Assistant role.
- Communication Skills: Clearly articulate ideas, proposals, and strategies to stakeholders in both verbal and written communication. Foster open and transparent communication within the team, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Listen actively to understand the needs and perspectives of others.
- Technical Merchandising Skills: Utilise data analysis tools and techniques to interpret sales data, market trends, and performance metrics. Understand inventory management systems and merchandising software. Apply pricing and markdown strategies effectively to optimise sales and profitability.
- Open-Mindedness: Embrace new ideas, approaches, and perspectives, recognising that innovation often comes from unconventional sources. Be willing to adapt to changing market dynamics and evolving consumer preferences.
- Passion for Product and Trends: Stay informed about the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the industry. Demonstrate enthusiasm and excitement for the products you're merchandising.
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see here. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary.
Benefits
- Profit‑related bonus ‑ based on company performance
- Private health insurance ‑ surgery choices
- Sharesave scheme ‑ make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension ‑ fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you’re also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products ‑ plus discount on other products
- Wagestream ‑ helping you make the most out of your money
- Salary finance ‑ offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
- Life assurance
- Direct to work ‑ NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
- VIP sale ‑ early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy ‑ like cycle‑to‑work, but for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services ‑ this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub ‑ includes access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health ‑ a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service ‑ 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
- A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing ‑ voucher to use at specific locations
Assistant Merchandiser - Home employer: Next Careers
As an Assistant Merchandiser in the Home team, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that values innovation and collaboration. With flexible working hours, a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance and a profit-related bonus, and ample opportunities for professional growth, NEXT is committed to fostering a culture where your contributions are recognised and rewarded. Join us in a location that not only offers a vibrant workplace but also prioritises employee wellbeing and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser - Home
✨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 Next Careers, 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 Next Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandiser - Home
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 Next Careers, 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 Next Careers 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 Next Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨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!
