At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Merchandising and Buying teams with essential admin and analytical tasks.
- Company: Join a leading beauty retail brand with a vibrant team culture.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on teamwork and personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes the shopping experience in beauty retail.
- Qualifications: Previous admin or retail experience and strong numerical skills are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Merchandising Administrator is responsible for providing essential administrative and analytical support to the Merchandising and Buying teams, ensuring the smooth day-to-day management of product ranges across retail stores and ecommerce channels. This role plays a key part in maintaining accurate stock and product data, supporting inventory management processes, and assisting with the execution of seasonal and promotional trading plans. Working within a fast-paced beauty retail environment, the Merchandising Administrator will help ensure products are available to customers at the right time while supporting the wider team in delivering sales, profitability and stock objectives.
The ideal candidate will be highly organised, numerically confident, detail-oriented, and eager to develop a career within merchandising, retail planning, or commercial operations.
Key Responsibilities- Stock & Inventory Administration
- Maintain accurate stock records across stores, distribution centres and ecommerce fulfilment locations.
- Monitor stock availability and highlight potential shortages, overstocks or replenishment issues.
- Support stock allocation and replenishment activities to ensure products remain available across all sales channels.
- Assist with stock transfers between stores, warehouses and fulfilment centres when required.
- Monitor incoming deliveries and update systems to ensure inventory information remains accurate.
- Purchase Order & Supplier Administration
- Raise, maintain and amend purchase orders within merchandising systems.
- Track supplier confirmations, shipment schedules and expected delivery dates.
- Ensure all product and order information is accurately recorded and updated.
- Liaise with suppliers and internal departments to resolve discrepancies relating to orders, deliveries or stock issues.
- Support the management of critical path timelines to ensure products are delivered on schedule.
- Reporting & Data Management
- Produce daily, weekly and monthly sales and stock reports for the merchandising team.
- Maintain reporting tools and spreadsheets used to support trading decisions.
- Assist in analysing sales performance, stock levels and inventory productivity.
- Support the preparation of trade packs and reporting for weekly trading meetings.
- Ensure data accuracy across all merchandising systems and reports.
- Product & Range Administration
- Support the setup and maintenance of product information across merchandising systems.
- Assist with the creation of new product records, ensuring all product attributes, pricing and descriptions are accurately entered.
- Maintain range plans and product trackers throughout the product lifecycle.
- Support product launch activities by ensuring stock and system readiness ahead of launch dates.
- Assist in monitoring product performance and maintaining continuity lines.
- Ecommerce & Omnichannel Support
- Monitor stock availability across online and store channels to support a seamless customer experience.
- Assist with maintaining accurate online stock positions and product information.
- Support ecommerce trading activity by providing stock and sales reporting.
- Work with cross-functional teams to ensure stock is available for online promotions, launches and campaigns.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Build strong relationships with Buying, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Ecommerce, Retail Operations and Finance teams.
- Support communication between departments to ensure accurate and timely flow of information.
- Assist with resolving operational issues relating to stock, deliveries and product availability.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute to ongoing process improvements.
- Administrative Support
- Manage merchandising documentation, trackers and filing systems.
- Prepare reports, presentations and meeting materials for the merchandising team.
- Support ad hoc analysis and administrative projects as required.
- Ensure all merchandising processes are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Essential Requirements
- Experience
- Previous administrative, retail, inventory, planning or analytical experience.
- Experience working in a fast-paced retail or commercial environment is advantageous.
- Numerical & Analytical Skills
- Strong numerical aptitude with confidence working with data and spreadsheets.
- Ability to identify trends, discrepancies and opportunities within sales and stock information.
- Systems & Technical Skills
- Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including: Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, Conditional Formatting.
- Basic reporting and analysis.
- Comfortable learning and using merchandising, ERP and inventory management systems.
- High level of confidence working with large volumes of data.
- Organisation & Attention to Detail
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Communication
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across multiple departments.
- Confident communicating information clearly and professionally.
- Commercial Awareness
- Interest in retail, beauty and consumer trends.
- Understanding of the importance of stock availability, customer experience and commercial performance.
- Experience
- Key Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
- Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
- Adaptable and flexible in a fast-paced retail environment.
- High level of accuracy and accountability.
- Desire to learn and develop a long-term career within merchandising and retail planning.
- Customer-focused approach with an understanding of how operational excellence supports the overall shopping experience.
Merchandising & Buying Administrator in Manchester employer: P Louise
As a leading player in the beauty retail sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where our employees can thrive. Our Merchandising & Buying Administrator role offers not only competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth but also a chance to be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and excellence. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a supportive culture that encourages creativity and development, making it an ideal place for those looking to build a rewarding career in merchandising.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising & Buying Administrator in Manchester
✨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 P Louise, 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 P Louise!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising & Buying Administrator in Manchester
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 P Louise, 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 P Louise 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 P Louise that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at P Louise
✨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!
