At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead inventory strategy and optimise stock management for maximum sales impact.
- Company: Join a dynamic retail brand focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to drive efficiency across the business.
- Why this job: Shape the future of inventory management and make a real difference in retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in inventory planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Department: Commercial Operations and Planning
Position Reports to: Planning Director (Inventory)
Direct reports: Inventory Team (2 direct reports, 7 total)
Purpose of Position
To support the Planning Director in the planning and delivery of the inventory strategy by owning total business WSSI planning, logistics planning and channel stock management, working in close partnership with them and with sign‑off on key strategic decisions, to maximise sales and profitability and positively impact EBITDA. This role offers the opportunity to help shape an evolving function and demonstrate immediate impact through strong commercial decision‑making and cross‑functional leadership.
Key Accountabilities and Measures
- Deliver intake, stock, stock cover and stock health (including management of excess stock) in line with agreed targets
- Achieve channel availability targets through effective forecasting and stock allocation/rebalancing
- Deliver new store opening stock packages on time and to plan, meeting availability requirements
- Own day‑to‑day trading decisions; elevate and agree sign‑off for material risks, spend, or plan changes
Financial Planning
- Own pre‑season WSSI / financial planning
- Plan top line intake to support cash flow planning
- Plan top line and category stock targets
- Plan top line and category freight budgets
- Own the commercial logistics budget for sellable and non‑sellable variables
In‑Season
- Weekly management of total business WSSI and OTB to ensure intake remains aligned to trading needs and sales whilst managing markdown risk, identifying risks and opportunities
- Lead the weekly logistics operational review, balancing logistics capacity and commercial requirements to deliver business objectives
- Own inbound and outbound DC re‑forecasting
- Take ownership of freight costs across the commercial teams, identifying and escalating risks and opportunities
- Identify and manage stock loss risks across all channels
Stock and Availability
- Develop the Branch Merchandising operating model, including creation and integration of the specialist AGR function
- Optimise channel availability through commercial analysis, forecasting and effective AGR management
- Maintain appropriate channel stock levels to deliver sales, manage markdown and identify risks and opportunities
- Track stock health, identify excess and agree actions with Commercial teams
- Deliver a robust stock management process for peak trading, working cross‑functionally to meet requirements whilst mitigating risk
- Develop and maintain strong links with the Retail team, identifying opportunities and risks and sharing insights
- Lead the team in meeting requirements for exceptional stores with specific needs
New stores
- Keep informed on the new store opening programme, including what is in budget vs. out of budget and timing
- Determine opening stock package requirements for each opening, highlighting concerns and risks
- Track opening packages vs. target, communicating risks and agreeing mitigating actions
Additional Responsibilities
- Support the monthly price change process
- Gift card intake requirements and stock management including Christmas
- Support the delivery of a sound stock management process for pop‑up activations
- Be a champion for driving efficiency across the division and wider business
Training & Development
- Develop a very good working knowledge of all merchandising systems and processes
- Identify and support the team in their training and development needs
- Responsible for driving own development
Competencies and personal attributes
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, capable of a high level of independent working
- Resourceful and highly commercial
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities, new challenges and driven to improve
- Ability to challenge ways of working and developing best practice approach
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships, collaborate and work cross‑functionally effectively
- Strong ownership mindset: takes end‑to‑end accountability, escalates key risks early and aligns/signs off significant decisions with the Planning Director
Equal Opportunity Statement
Space NK are an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Merchandise Manager - Inventory (FTC) in London employer: Space NK
Space NK is an excellent employer for those seeking a vibrant and rewarding career in the beauty industry. With a focus on teamwork and inclusivity, employees enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters personal growth and development. Located in Manchester, the company offers competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and an impressive employee discount, making it an attractive place for passionate beauty enthusiasts to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandise Manager - Inventory (FTC) in London
✨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 Space NK, 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 Space NK!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandise Manager - Inventory (FTC) in London
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 Space NK, 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 Space NK 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 Space NK that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Space NK
✨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!
