At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising for beauty brands, optimising stock and driving sales.
- Company: Join Space NK, a leading beauty destination with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of beauty retail while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising and team leadership; beauty knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
If you love beauty, you're in the right place. As the ultimate curator of over 100 of the most in-demand, highly innovative and boundary-pushing beauty brands, we are the go-to destination for worldwide beauty discovery. Together through our neighbourhood stores, online presence and loyalty scheme, Space NK has built a flourishing community in which to discover beauty. The customer is at the heart of everything we do, and we will always endeavour to offer everything they need to help them explore, experiment, and enjoy our brands.
Role Overview
To lead the planning and trading of the department, ensuring stock levels are optimised in line with department KPIs to deliver sales, customer & stock targets for the category. Support Head of Category to strategically shape plans, collaborating with the Senior Buyer to drive the best outcome for the division.
Strategic Objectives
- Attract New Customers through our Brands
- Increase Space NK Brand Awareness & Appeal
- Make it Easy for the Customer to Shop
- Retain Customers & Grow their Spend
- Achieve Scale to deliver Profitability
Key Skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset & self-motivated, driven to continually improve
- Commercial strategy with a high level of accuracy & attention to detail
- Excellent planning & organisational skills - ability to prioritise as required
- Adaptable, willing to take on new challenges as well as challenge current ways of working to champion best practice
- An excellent team leader, driven to coach team through positive & honest feedback
- Ability to manage upwards
Role overview and Responsibilities
- Weekly management of OTB to ensure intake flow into the business is in line with forecast requirement to drive customer acquisition & sales whilst minimising markdown
- In charge of the weekly order management process, reviewing stock requirements for the department for both replenishment of core and newness
- Develop and nurture strong working relationship with Brands to maximise sales opportunities. Supporting the buyer with negotiation of RTVs, promo & markdown agreements etc
- Accountable for maintaining brand and department availability targets in line with business goals
- Lead weekly & monthly trade reporting, summarising performance vs KPIs to the commercial team and the wider business, relating to customer, sales, AOV, profit & discount. Proactively make trading recommendations to Head of Category to maximise opportunity for the department
- Drive analysis of the category with a strategic lens, continual assessment of over/under performance and the impact on stock levels, taking action to mitigate risk and maximise opportunity. Key contact to wider business on category specific analysis
- Lead category merchandising team, whilst collaborating cross functionally with Buying, Inventory & external partners
- Manage the development of your team members to ensure they thrive in role & whilst being clear on their part in achieving both category & company objectives
- Leading best practice across the merchandising and wider category team
- Involvement in wider merchandising projects relating to category - this is key as we grow & scale the business
- Partner with other departments e.g. events & marketing to deliver on wider customer initiatives, category & wider business KPIs are met
- Deputise for Merchandising Manager/Category Director where appropriate & necessary
Knowledge & Experience
- Would suit an Established or Senior Merchandiser
- Experience of managing brands; beauty experience desirable but not essential
- Proven track record in a fast-paced retail business
- Advanced Excel skills & ability to present data in a digestible way to wider business
- Experience managing a team, including JM, AM & MAA levels
Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted. All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Senior Merchandiser (Hair, Body Sun & Own Brand), 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 Senior Merchandiser (Hair, Body Sun & Own Brand), 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 Senior Merchandiser (Hair, Body Sun & Own Brand), 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!
