Assistant Merchandiser - Womenswear Non Clothing in Leicester

About the Role: Based at Head Office, Leicester. Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in office, with some flexibility once embedded into the role. Core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

Let’s talk quality… When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a company with a bigger focus on quality. We sell thousands of items an hour and our repeat customer base comes back to us time and time again for our renowned quality products.

Your Team: Joining the Women's Non Clothing team is a super exciting opportunity indeed! As an Assistant Merchandiser, you'll be at the forefront of driving the excitement for the products and ensuring they resonate with the market and are true to the brand’s DNA. Your technical skills in data analysis and inventory management will be crucial in making informed decisions and keeping everything running smoothly. Plus, being surrounded by a team of industry experts will surely provide an enriching environment for growth and collaboration!

This role will have the responsibility of a product group and with support from your Grade 2 we see you owning that product group as your skills develop. You will be driving range building and selection meetings, travelling and managing the supplier base and trading your range to maximise sales and minimise markdown seizing opportunities that you spot to keep our ranges fresh and exciting.

Merchandising: Do you love trends and talking to people all over the world? Do you enjoy building relationships with brands and suppliers? Would you like the opportunity to travel with your job? Are you passionate about analysis, trading, managing stock, and relationship development? We are looking for amazing people who can interpret data and use this talent to work with our Buyers and Designers to build and trade trend driven product ranges for our customers!

Your Role:

• Formulating Range Structure Proposals: Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to identify opportunities as well as develop range structures that align with brand positioning and target market. Present proposals outlining assortment plans, pricing strategies, and key product features.
• Presenting 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. Represent Next in Brand Meetings with brands and suppliers.
• Appraising Performance and Proposing 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. Be confident in sharing these findings with internal stakeholders as well as influencing brands to maximise sales and performance.
• Building Relationships with Brands and Suppliers: Cultivate open communication and collaboration with Licensors and suppliers, establishing trust and transparency in negotiations and business dealings.
• Planning and Reviewing Capacity, Production, and Material/Component Reservations: Forecast demand accurately to plan capacity and production schedules. Coordinate with suppliers to ensure timely material reservations and production and regularly review progress against production targets and adjust plans as needed.
• Maintaining Merchandise Systems: Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems by updating data regularly. Confirm supplier contracts and maintain correct sizing, forecasts, and inventory levels. Conduct regular audits to identify and resolve discrepancies. Help suppliers who may not have worked with Next before understand our requirements and expectations.
• Controlling 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/ flexibility on MOQs.
• Monitoring 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. Collate trade summaries for brands and discuss reasons for under and overperformance with them.

About You:

• 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, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.
• 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 to maintain accurate records and make informed decisions. Apply pricing and markdown strategies effectively to optimise sales and profitability.
• Open-Mindedness: Embrace new ideas, approaches, and perspectives, recognizing that innovation often comes from unconventional sources. Be willing to adapt to changing market dynamics and evolving consumer preferences. Encourage creativity and innovation within the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• 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, inspiring others with your passion. Use your knowledge and insights into consumer preferences to curate assortments that resonate with your target audience.

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: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.