At a Glance
- Tasks: Support merchandising with data analysis and process development for a leading retail brand.
- Company: Join schuh, a diverse and inclusive company that values individuality.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 40% discount, 34 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your skills in merchandising.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, and Power BI experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Department: Buying & Merchandising
Line Manager: Head of Central Merchandising
Location: Hybrid working 2 days in office, 3 days from home. Candidates must be able to commute to our office in Central London or Livingston, Scotland.
JOB PURPOSE
To support the Central Merchandising function and the Product Buyers & Merchandisers with the analysis of key business planning & performance data and the development and/or implementation of new processes and tools. This independent & objective role enables the delivery of best practice and consistent standards and ensures that all stages of the commercial Business Calendar and Trading Calendar are completed on time and with sufficient analytical rigour.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PLANNING
- Support the planning process for the business/product categories by completing historical analysis of performance and modelling the impact of potential planning scenarios.
- Deliver the analysis required to create store grading, range planning, channel planning and associated planning required to ensure financial targets are robust & considered and will support the commercial strategy.
- Support the Head of Central Merch to reconcile metrics between financial plans and product plans – enabling them to compare, contrast, challenge and in line with lead times.
- Provide analysis which can guide, support & challenge the B&M teams to achieve targets.
- Model key product metrics in advance to assess risk profiles and reconcile top-down and bottom-up planning to deliver consistency and encourage cross-functional working.
- Support the Central Merchandising function to deliver the milestones within the Business Calendar that deliver on time launch.
TRADING
- Support the Head of Central Merch and the Product Merchandisers to deliver the monthly reforecasting (WSSI) process as required.
- Share/escalate resulting impacts of the forecasting process with senior managers, enabling decisions to be taken for the reforecasting of sales, stock and any marketing/markdown activity.
- Analyse OTB positions in relation to sales performance and stock flow.
- Support the delivery of the Trading calendar with analysis of promotional results and clarity on the sales and stock positions for future events required to achieve the financial and customer targets.
- Model the net profitability impact of schuh activities including sale/promo/further markdowns, RTW, promotions, returns.
- Support the process for coding seasonal stock.
- Write off/stock clearance at end of life process owner.
CHANNEL OPTIMISATION
- Support B&M with analysis required to establish store grading & clusters, and with the planning & trading of eComm and of the ROI business.
PROCESS, TOOLS/SYSTEMS & REPORTING
- Owner of WSSI documents and central company rollup.
- Support the Head of Central Merch as required with commercial business input for IT developments.
- Work with Power BI report developer & Merchandising as required on the development of appropriate reports and tools (eg WSSI, category plans, range framework plans, trading reports etc).
- Support the B&M team with any review of the processes and tools they use to avoid extra work and cost and deliver desired outcomes.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Take responsibility for continually improving own performance by agreeing and achieving objectives.
- Arrange regular performance reviews with your manager.
- Be proactive in driving own personal development.
- Seek/receive feedback on your development for your career progression and utilise training, development and support resources available.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and an understanding of others needs and own impact on others.
- Role model teamwork and collaboration with directors, other functions and between buyers and merchandisers.
- Model schuh’s beliefs and convey a positive image in everything you do.
- Celebrate diversity of thought and have an open mindset.
- Embrace, champion, and influence change through the organisation.
COMPETENCIES / SKILLS / ATTRIBUTES
- Highly numerate and analytical.
- Advanced Excel skills and superior analytical and quantitative skills.
- Power BI experience essential.
- Excellent time management and communication skills with the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Ability to influence & present ideas in a positive and professional manner.
- Embrace and lead continuous improvement, adopt a creative approach with strong critical thinking skills.
- Awareness of retail industry and competition within sector.
- Role models schuh values.
- Demonstrates an ability to work consistently to high standards.
- Is self-motivated to achieve.
- Is able to contribute to team effectiveness.
- Ability to build strong relationships with the wider team.
About the perks/benefits
- Up to 40% product discount for you and your loved ones.
- 34 Days holidays.
- Your birthday off to celebrate you.
- Flexible working hours / contracts to work when suits you.
- Perk platform for hundreds of discounts.
- Manage, save and access your wages as you earn them to get paid your way.
- Employee assistance programme to support your wellbeing through resources, helplines and Virtual GP services.
- A pension scheme to help you save for the future.
- Development and progression opportunities across store and Head Office.
- Opportunity to be a part of our company Purpose Groups.
About schuh
At schuh we are the ‘Same but different’. By embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity, we aim to empower our people to be fiercely and unapologetically themselves. This means you will support our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and ensure that colleagues and customers from all backgrounds, beliefs and communities are treated fairly. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support disabilities or health conditions. Please let our talent team know of any adjustments needed during the hiring process. Our Talent Acquisition Team will work as quickly as possible to review your application. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like any additional information at all, please contact talent@schuh.co.uk.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Central - Central 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 Schuh, 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 Schuh!
We think you need these skills to ace Central - Central Merchandiser
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 Schuh, 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 Schuh 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 Schuh that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Schuh
✨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!
