Merchandiser in Cardiff

Role overview

As Junior Merchandiser, you will support the planning, trading, and commercial management of a department. You will help build balanced, customer-focused ranges, manage stock and intake plans, monitor performance, and react quickly to sales trends to maximise sales and profit.

The role suits a commercially minded, highly organised individual with merchandising experience in fashion or retail, advanced Excel skills, and the confidence to build effective relationships across teams and external partners.

Key responsibilities

• Support the creation of a clear departmental vision covering strategy, budget, and product plans for both short- and long-term horizons.




• Work closely with the Buyer to build a balanced range that meets customer expectations and reflects the brand strategy.




• Help deliver the right product mix, price architecture, quantities, and store-level allocation.




• Develop and maintain departmental sales, stock, intake, profit, and markdown plans to monitor and measure performance.




• Ensure space and option plans support the departmental strategy, taking account of timings, stock builds, and store layout.

Trading

• Flex trade between categories and manage product mixes, sales, stock levels, and intake phasing in line with divisional and departmental plans.




• Use WSSI and other merchandising tools effectively to review trading performance and identify opportunities or risks.




• React to current sales and market trends by managing open-to-buy and stock positions; repeat, cancel, or re-phase orders where appropriate.




• Propose promotional or markdown activity to protect sales, stock position, and profitability.




• Manage departmental KPIs in season, with particular focus on markdown control and buying-in margin (BIM).




• Support supplier management to ensure deliveries arrive on time and intake targets are met, anticipating risks and developing practical contingency plans.




• Work alongside Stock Distribution to ensure optimum stock levels are delivered to stores in line with customer demand.

Commercial awareness

• Work with the Head of Merchandising to develop a departmental merchandising strategy informed by external factors, market trends, and competitor activity.




• Support and constructively challenge Buying teams to ensure ranges are planned and built in line with divisional and departmental strategy.




• Develop a strong understanding of the customer and use this insight when planning and constructing ranges.




• Build a comprehensive knowledge of merchandising systems and processes, including forecasting, WSSI, and BI tools.

What we are looking for

• Experience in a similar merchandising role within fashion or a fashion supplier environment, with a proven track record of commercial delivery.




• Advanced Excel skills, including confident use of formulas, data analysis, and reporting.




• Experience of working with UK and/or overseas manufacturers and factories.




• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.




• Excellent planning, organisation, and attention to detail.




• The ability to build effective relationships, communicate clearly, and influence partners and internal teams.




• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to work well in a fast-paced retail environment.




• A strong interest in fashion, product, customers, and retail performance.

What we offer

• A permanent role within a forward-thinking retail business.




• Excellent career development opportunities within Merchandising.




• A modern, purpose-built, air-conditioned Head Office in Cardiff city centre.




• A collaborative and supportive working environment.




• Convenient transport links, with London approximately two hours away by train.

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