At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape merchandising strategies and optimise stock levels in a dynamic homewares business.
- Company: Fast-growing homewares brand with a focus on innovative product design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make a real impact on product ranges.
- Qualifications: Strong merchandising experience and proficiency in Excel and WSSI tools.
Location: Gloucester (Hybrid)
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 plus bonus
About the role
Our client, an exciting and fast growing homewares business with a strong product focus, are looking for a Merchandiser to play a key role in shaping a newly built merchandising function. You will own WSSI, OTB planning, forecasting and in season trading, working closely with product and design to influence ranges and bring ideas to life in a way that lands commercially. This is a hands-on merchandising role working across Excel, WSSI tools and core merchandising systems in a collaborative, design-led retail environment.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and manage WSSI, OTB and sales forecasting across categories
- Analyse in season trading performance and shape clear, practical actions
- Plan and optimise stock levels, intake and terminal stock positions
- Lead markdown and promotional activity aligned to margin and sell through
- Partner with Product and Design teams to support range planning decisions
- Manage and track purchase orders, intake and delivery schedules
- Build relationships with suppliers, freight partners and warehouse teams
- Maintain availability across best sellers and core product lines
- Reforecast sales and stock positions on a weekly and monthly basis
- Help build and refine merchandising processes within a growing function
Skills and experience
- Strong experience as a Merchandiser within a retail or product-led environment
- Proven ownership of WSSI, OTB and in season trading decisions
- Confident working with Excel and merchandising systems day to day
- Background in stock planning, forecasting and intake management
- Experience collaborating with product, design and cross functional teams
- Commercial understanding of margin, promotions and trading performance
- Comfortable working in a fast moving, evolving business
- Exposure to supplier management and production timelines
- Experience handling multiple categories and SKU ranges
- Strong communication skills with confidence influencing stakeholders
Merchandiser (Hybrid) in Cheltenham employer: Sanderson
Join a dynamic and innovative homewares business in Gloucester, where your role as a Merchandiser will be pivotal in shaping our merchandising function. We pride ourselves on a collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and growth, offering competitive salaries, bonuses, and opportunities for professional development in a fast-paced environment. With a focus on design-led retail, you'll have the chance to influence product ranges and make a tangible impact on our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser (Hybrid) in Cheltenham
✨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 Sanderson, 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 Sanderson!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser (Hybrid) in Cheltenham
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 Sanderson, 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 Sanderson 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 Sanderson that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson
✨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!
