At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Merchandiser in forecasting and planning to boost sales and profitability.
- Company: Join a dynamic retail team in Watford with a focus on collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a fun work environment.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and teamwork in a supportive atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sales strategies while developing your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical mindset and effective communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Position Overview
Support Merchandiser in current season forecasting, trading and future season planning, in order to maximize sales and profitability.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Can accurately interpret trade reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis, summarising key messages and actions.
- Utilises trade reports and own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
- Analyses channel availability & can take necessary trading actions.
- Accurately forecasts WSSI to reflect short- and long-term risks and opportunities to KPIs, communicating impacts to planner.
- Contributes to hindsight analysis and forward strategies, able to communicate clearly and objectively the key learnings to planner.
- Supports forecasting of line cards to maximise sales potential and optimise stock availability across channels, highlighting any risks and opportunities to immediate team.
- Oversees seasonal recodes.
- Oversees delivery tracker and amends forecasts to reflect risks and opportunities, demonstrating awareness of the impact on end‑of‑season stock targets, communicating this to the planner.
- Responsible for actioning seasonal markdowns and communicating to stores.
Commercial Awareness
- Leads regular store visits, analysing store reports prior and presenting feedback to team.
- Understands where RL fits within the wider retail environment through comprehensive competitor analysis, and begins to identify areas of opportunity & risk.
Training and Development
- Adopts 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.
- Provides support to new team members, ensuring they understand the training given & department processes.
- Supports team in achieving their personal goals.
- Participates in company initiatives as appropriate.
- Participates in team wellness & prioritises psychological safety.
Communications & Partnerships
- Creates and maintains strong working relationships 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 learned, influencing future buys using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
- Strong analytical and numerical mindset.
- Effective communicator – able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
- Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to ‘think outside the box’.
- Demonstrates logical analysis and problem‑solving skills.
- Solution orientated and positively embraces change.
- Able to organise, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrates self‑awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
- Builds and maintains productive relationships within team environment.
- Competent in using Microsoft Excel and BI reporting tools.
- Attention to detail.
- Regularly recognises & praises good work.
- Leads by example & is a good associate role model.
- Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product.
Associate Planner – Watford employer: Recruit4Mum
As an Associate Planner in Watford, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our culture fosters collaboration across teams, ensuring that your contributions are valued and recognised, while also providing opportunities for training and personal advancement. With a focus on innovation and a commitment to employee well-being, we offer a unique workplace where you can make a meaningful impact on our retail strategies and enjoy a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate 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 Associate 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!
