At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver category plans while collaborating with buying teams.
- Company: Join QVC Group, a Fortune 500 live social shopping company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, paid time off, discounts, and more.
- Other info: Hybrid role with great career growth and a focus on inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in retail planning and drive sales performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning or merchandising, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Your Opportunity, Your Team
Working at QVC Group means joining a live social shopping company with incredible teams, ambitious projects and amazing careers. QVC Group, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company with six leading retail brands - QVC®, HSN®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill® and Grandin Road.
The Merchandise Planner supports QVC UK and is responsible for shaping and delivering robust category plans that balance sales, inventory, airtime and margin, while acting as a strategic business partner to Buying.
Where You'll Work
This role is hybrid and will require you to be onsite at our UK Head Office 2 days per week. Onsite days are predetermined and standard across the company.
What You'll Do
- Prepare, monitor and adjust the category business plan within budget across sales, inventory, airtime and margin
- Act as the category planning business partner for Buying, providing insight-led analysis on sales and margin performance
- Review schedules up to four weeks out, proactively recommending changes to optimise sales and manage risk
- Drive daily trading performance by proposing changes to later airs and identifying cross-category opportunities
- Manage the product lifecycle, using promotions and airtime strategically and delivering post-event analysis to inform future decisions
What You'll Bring
- Experience with planning, trading, merchandising or commercial analysis, ideally within retail or an omnichannel environment
- Experience with sales, stock and margin data to influence decisions
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with teams such as Buying, Digital, Programming or Merchandising
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance short-term trading actions and longer-term category strategy
- Understanding of product seasonality and seeing through the eyes of the customer
Benefits
QVC Group offers a Total Rewards package that includes competitive compensation, paid time off, an employee assistance program, parental leave, paid volunteer hours, and company discounts. In the US market, health care benefits start on day 1, with 401(k) and tuition reimbursement benefits available.
Inclusion & Equal Opportunity
QVC UK is a Disability Confident Leader and operates a Disability Confident Scheme. QVC Group is committed to inclusion and belonging for all, ensuring that our workplace provides equal employment opportunities for all team members and candidates and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. As an equal opportunity employer, QVC Group is committed to a barrier‑free employment process. If you need reasonable accommodations or support throughout the application process, please contact us at workwithus@qvcgrp.com for assistance.
Merchandise Planner employer: QVC UK
At QVC Group, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Merchandise Planner, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model at our UK Head Office, alongside competitive benefits such as paid time off, parental leave, and company discounts. We are committed to your professional growth and provide opportunities for meaningful contributions within our Fortune 500 company, ensuring you thrive in your career while balancing work and life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandise Planner
✨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 QVC UK, 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 QVC UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandise Planner
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 QVC UK, 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 QVC UK 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 QVC UK that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at QVC UK
✨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!
