At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail strategy through range planning, stock forecasting, and merchandising activities.
- Company: Join one of the UK's leading seasonal retailers with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, bonus potential, flexible working, and ongoing development support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a mix of office and remote work.
- Why this job: Make an impact on in-store experiences while developing your career in retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising or buying, with strong Excel skills and commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Quest Search & Selection are currently hiring for an Assistant Space & Range Planner who will support the branch category & merchandising team in delivering the retail strategy for grocery, gifting & seasonal. In this role, you will support range planning, stock forecasting and merchandising activity across the retail estate. The position also involves working with the Category Leads in category execution and building effective planograms to optimise space planning and in-store customer experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support retail growth strategy through sales analysis, margin management and KPI performance tracking in partnership with Buying & Finance teams.
- Analyse customer insights, market trends and trading performance to support category direction, stock forecasting and commercial decision-making.
- Produce and analyse reporting including best-seller performance, stock optimisation and trading analysis to drive commercial performance improvements.
- Maintain product data, cost files and administrative reporting processes, supporting accurate pricing and category management activity.
- Support product ranging, pricing and seasonal promotional activity across retail categories.
- Develop and implement merchandising planograms, POS materials and space planning initiatives to improve in-store presentation and compliance.
- Conduct store visits to review merchandising standards, product presentation and range execution across locations.
- Coordinate supplier relationships, tenders and day-to-day communication regarding deliveries, merchandising and product activity.
- Support the end-to-end development of bespoke products, ensuring quality, margin delivery and timely execution.
- Assist with communication of promotions, range changes and merchandising updates across the retail estate.
Key Requirements:
- Background in Merchandising, Buying, Space Planning, or POS management.
- 3+ years’ experience within FMCG or retail environments.
- Exposure to multiple product categories across grocery and/or non-food sectors.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and supporting buying activities.
- Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of P&L performance, sales trends, and margin drivers.
- Knowledge of ranging, planograms and space planning/analysis is highly desirable.
- Strong administrative capability with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, including report creation and analysis.
- Able to balance customer, operational, and commercial priorities when developing and implementing strategies.
Benefits:
- 20% friends and family discount.
- Bonus potential.
- Ongoing learning and development support.
- Flexible working arrangement: Head office based in Hertfordshire, with a mix of branch visits, 1 day office-based, and 2 days working from home.
- Free parking.
- Life assurance.
If this sounds like you and you are keen to apply for this position, please apply today!
Assistant Space & Range Planner in Bedford employer: Quest Search and Selection
Quest Search & Selection is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the retail sector. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package including discounts and bonuses, this role as an Assistant Space & Range Planner provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a leading seasonal retailer while enjoying a supportive culture that values collaboration and creativity.
Contact Details:
Quest Search and Selection Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Space & Range Planner in Bedford
✨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 Quest Search and Selection, 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 Quest Search and Selection!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Space & Range Planner in Bedford
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 Quest Search and Selection, 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 Quest Search and Selection 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 Quest Search and Selection that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Search and Selection
✨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!
