At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the merchandising team in planning and executing product strategies to drive sales.
- Company: Join Ralph Lauren, a global leader in premium lifestyle products with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that influences product availability and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, effective communication, and a passion for retail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Assistant Merchandise Planner – Watford, United Kingdom
- Position Overview
- Ref #: W
- State/Region: Hertfordshire
- Department: Merchandising & Planning
- Location: United Kingdom
- City: Watford
The assistant merchandiser supports the merchandising team in planning, analysing and executing product strategies that drive sales, margin and product inventory.
The assistant merchandiser plays a key role in supporting with reporting and trackers so the department can ensure the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities to meet customer demand.
Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality.
For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren’s reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.
The Company’s brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all.
We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Operation/Financial
- Update reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis.
- Actualises the departments WSSI weekly.
- Attends and prepares for weekly trade meetings and able to formulate and deliver a trade message independently.
- Provides accurate data to support analysis for key seasonal meetings including hindsight and sign offs.
- Updates and forecasts department line cards to maximise sales potential and optimise stock availability across channels.
- Systematically updates seasonal recodes.
- Owns department stock delivery schedule and communicates updates to team.
- Responsible for actioning seasonal markdowns & communication to stores.
- Commercial Awareness
- Participate in regular store visits, collating store reports prior and assisting in creating follow up presentations.
- To undertake competitor analysis on a regular basis and present any relevant points.
- Training and Development
- To adopt a positive and proactive approach to their own training and development as well as that of their peers.
- Proactively promotes improvements to working practices and systems.
- Participates in company initiatives as appropriate.
- Communications & Partnerships
- Creates and maintains strong working relationship within cross-functional teams: Buying, Allocations, ECOM and the retail store teams.
- Liaises with Assortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in the formation of the seasonal lessons learnt.
Influencing future Buy's, using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
- Commercial and Analytical.
- Effective communicator – able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
- Work autonomously.
- Demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
- Organise, prioritise tasks and manages time well in order to meet deadlines.
- Build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
- Competent in using Microsoft excel.
- Attention to detail.
- Show ability or aptitude in retail mathematics and able to learn technical applications quickly.
- Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
- Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product.
- Allocation experience preferred.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Merchandise Planner – Watford employer: Recruit4Mum
Recruit4Mum is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture in the heart of Chester-le-Street. With benefits such as a bonus scheme, enhanced holiday entitlement, and access to an Employee Assistance helpline, we ensure our team feels valued and empowered. Join us for meaningful work that contributes to a safe and inclusive environment while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandise Planner – Watford
✨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 Recruit4Mum, 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 Recruit4Mum!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandise Planner – Watford
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 Recruit4Mum, 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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit4Mum
✨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!
