Merchandiser
We have an exciting opportunity for a Merchandiser working in the Morleys Stores Group head office based in Wimbledon. It is a full time position, reporting to the Head of Merchandising.
Morleys Department Stores Group is an independent, privately-owned department store group that operates 7 stores principally in Greater London and Newbury, and an Ecommerce platform for our flagship store in Wimbledon. Our stores are at the heart of local communities and have centuries of heritage, brand trust and loyalty - all key to the values we bring to life in-store and through our communications.
Role Overview
The Merchandiser is responsible for leading the commercial planning strategy across designated product categories, managing, and optimising product ranges to drive sales, maximise profitability, and control stock across a £100m+ department store group.
This role drives sales, profit, stock optimisation through effective planning, forecasting, trading and inventory, this role combines commercial analysis, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the right products are available at the right time, in the right quantities across our 7-store portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Planning & Trading
- Develop and deliver seasonal and annual merchandise financial plans aligned with business strategy, company sales and margin targets
- Drive forecasting accuracy and manage OTB (Open to Buy) processes and budgets and stock levels to ensure effective inventory control
- Drive sales, profit and stock performance across multiple locations and digital channels where applicable
- Monitor weekly sales, stock, and margin performance, identifying risks and opportunities
- Reforecast sales and intake based on performance trends and market conditions
- Analyse historical performance, market trends and customer behaviour to identify commercial opportunities and risks
Range & Stock Management
- In Conjunction with the Head of Merchandising own in season trading performance and proactively react to weekly trade performance
- Manage stock allocation (RROs) and intake flow to optimise product availability across all categories, increase sell- through and minimise markdown and improve stock productivity
- Ensure effective replenishment and allocation strategies are in place across all stores.
- Identify underperforming categories, brands or stores and work with buying team to implement recovery actions
- Oversee stock turn, sell-through rates, and aged stock management
- Lead markdown and promotional strategies to drive revenue and clear stock efficiently
Commercial Analysis
- Analyse historical performance, market trends and customer behaviour to identify commercial opportunities and risks.
- Partner closely with the buying teams to build commercially balanced assortments and category strategies
- Provide actionable insights to buying and senior leadership teams
- Use data to influence range planning, pricing architecture, promotional activity and mark down decisions
- Satellite Department relationships
- Work closely with Buyers to understand range building
- Partner with Finance, Marketing, and Store Operations teams to align on trading plans
Team Leadership
- Working with the Head of Merchandising to manage, coach and develop Junior Merchandisers and Buying Administrators
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations for the team, provide coaching to improve team performance
- Build merchandising capability through training and mentoring
- Encourage a collaborative, commercially focused and solution-oriented team
- Ensure strong accuracy, pace and attention to detail across all merchandising processes
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in merchandising within fashion, home, beauty retail (department store environment preferred)
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving sales and margin
- Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in Excel
- Experience managing budgets and stock volumes.
- Excellent planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Sales and margin performance
- Stock turn target 2.3 to 2.5
- Markdown percentage of sales
- Budget & Forecast accuracy
- OTB management
Personal Attributes
- Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Commercially driven and customer focused strategic thinker with strong trading instincts
- Highly organised and detail oriented
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
- Proactive problem solver with strong decision-making capability and results focused.
- Collaborative team player with leadership capability
Desirable
- Experience in a £100m+ sales turnover.
- Knowledge of department store trading.
- Experience with merchandising software (e.g. SAP/BYD, Futura)
AMRT1_UKTJ
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser
✨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 REC-REVOLUTION, 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 REC-REVOLUTION!
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 REC-REVOLUTION, 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 REC-REVOLUTION 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 REC-REVOLUTION that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at REC-REVOLUTION
✨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!
