At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage stock levels and analyse trading performance across multiple markets.
- Company: Join The Flat Lay Co., a vibrant beauty accessories brand based in London.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, hybrid work model, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities in a dynamic environment with room for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing brand that values your ideas and contributions.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in merchandising, strong spreadsheet skills, and a self-starter attitude.
Location: Hybrid, Central London office. Tuesdays in the office (can be flexible on time).
Type: Part-time, flexible structure. Open to 3 days per week or a combination of half days and full days.
Company Description: The Flat Lay Co. is a London-based beauty accessories brand founded in 2017 with a mission to transform daily routines through innovative design. Starting with the original Flat Lay Makeup Bag, the brand has grown from a single product to an international business trusted by millions of customers worldwide. Its award-winning designs are stocked by leading retailers such as Boots, Sephora UK, and ASOS, and have been featured in publications including Vogue, Elle, and Sheerluxe. Each product is created in the London studio, focusing on practical, thoughtful solutions that bring organization and calm to everyday beauty routines. We're an ambitious, collaborative team where great ideas can come from anywhere, and each person's contribution makes a real difference to the business. Everyone has an entrepreneurial mindset, always looking for ways to improve their department and often lending a hand to improve someone else's too. It's a warm, welcoming team that backs each other, and truly an exciting and rewarding place to work.
Role Description: We are looking for a numbers obsessed Merchandiser to own merchandising end to end: managing stock levels across our UK and US warehouses, trading analysis across D2C, Amazon and wholesale in multiple markets, and understanding our product performance to guide our NPD and range planning. We are in a phase of rapid growth and opportunities arrive with short notice. You will be comfortable thinking on your feet and finding creative ways to meet demand, whether that means rebalancing stock across markets, reworking cover to land an unplanned retailer drop, or pulling a collaboration forward. You will own the trading update to the team, build and manage the tools and forecasts the business needs, and continuously improve your own processes. The role is part time and we can be flexible for the right candidate, whether that is half days across the week or three full days. Tuesdays in our Central London office are fixed but we can be flexible on hours.
Key Responsibilities:
- Demand Planning & Forecasting: Own the demand forecast by SKU and by market, consolidating retailer forecasts from the sales team with D2C and Amazon. Build and own the buy plan in alignment with our OTB. Set and maintain target cover and reorder points by SKU and channel. Build the demand plan for NPD launches, collaborations and exclusives alongside design and sales. Reforecast as trade moves, and flag early where a plan is no longer landing. Feed the buy plan into our OTB and cash planning with the Operations Director.
- Stock & Trading: Own stock across both markets and all channels: on-hand reviews, cover, and low-stock and over-stock risk at SKU level. Model stock options when opportunities or changes come in. Rebalance stock between markets and channels to protect sell-through and avoid deadstock. Be the point of contact for the team on stock queries.
- Analysis & Reporting: Own the weekly and monthly trading update: what is selling, what we should push, what needs promoting, what needs clearing. Work with the sales team on retailer forecasts and sell-through, and align stock plans to campaign and launch activity. Produce quarterly product performance reviews to guide range planning and NPD, work closely with design team on new ranges. Build and manage the forecasting and reporting tools the business needs.
- Ownership: Keep documentation and trackers current and usable by the wider team. Continuously improve how we track, report and reconcile, bringing proposals for ways to improve processes with a business case where relevant.
You Are:
- Genuinely excellent with spreadsheets, and you love to build out tools to make processes more efficient.
- You are able to interpret sales both commercially and also in terms of customer thought processes, always thinking about possible reasoning behind spikes or slumps.
- Comfortable being the only person in your area, owning outcomes and flagging risk early.
- Confident presenting numbers to the team and working across sales, ecommerce, design and supply chain.
- Quick on your feet when priorities shift.
- A self-starter always looking for a better way of doing something and comfortable proposing it to the team.
You Have:
- 4+ years of merchandising or stock planning experience, gained brand side (ideally in consumer goods, fashion, beauty or accessories).
- Experience across both wholesale and D2C.
- Experience with an inventory management system (we use Unleashed, integrated with Xero).
- Cherry on top: multi-market or multi-warehouse stock experience, and exposure to US retail or 3PL operations.
Merchandiser employer: The Flat Lay Co.
The Flat Lay Co. is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in the heart of Central London. With a focus on innovation and personal growth, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the brand's exciting journey. The company values each team member's input, fostering a supportive culture that not only drives professional development but also celebrates creativity and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser
✨Get to Know Your Local Scene
Retail is all about community, so don't underestimate the power of local connections. Pop into shops you're interested in, chat with staff, and ask if they have any openings. This personal touch could land you a part-time gig with ease!
✨Show Off Your Personality
Retail is a people business, and employers love genuine, enthusiastic candidates. When you're applying for part-time roles, showcase your customer service skills and personality during interviews. Be yourself, and don't be afraid to share your love for the products!
✨Utilise College or University Resources
If you're a student, check out your university’s career services. They often have links with local retailers looking for part-time staff. It's a great way to find positions that work around your studies while also building your CV!
✨Check Out Seasonal Opportunities
Retail often sees a surge during peak seasons like Christmas or summer sales. Keep your eyes peeled for temporary part-time roles during these times. Many companies, including The Flat Lay Co., may even transition seasonal workers into permanent positions if you impress them!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, we know that customer service is king! Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've got with face-to-face interactions. Include specific examples where you went above and beyond for a customer—this shows potential employers like The Flat Lay Co. that you're all about creating great shopping experiences.
Flexibility is Key!:For a part-time role, showcasing your availability is crucial. Make it clear in your application when you can work, especially if you have weekday and weekend flexibility. Retail can demand odd hours, so we want to see that you're ready to jump in when needed!
Forget the Fancy Formatting:While you want your CV to look good, in retail, clarity is more important than flashiness. Use simple formatting and bullet points to make your experiences stand out. Retail managers at The Flat Lay Co. will appreciate a straightforward CV that’s easy to skim through.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:When applying for a part-time retail position, your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you’re excited about The Flat Lay Co. and what you can bring to their team. Maybe you love their products or admire their customer service philosophy—let that passion come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Flat Lay Co.
✨Mastering Brand Knowledge
As we're heading into a part-time retail role at The Flat Lay Co., it’s super crucial to know their brand inside out. Familiarise yourself with their products, customer service approach, and any current promotions. This way, you can engage genuinely in conversations and show that you’re already invested in their vibe.
✨Excellent Customer Scenarios
Prepare for customer service scenarios! Retail interviews often include role-play or situational questions. Think about how you'd handle different customer situations, from dealing with complaints to upselling products. We want to hear how you can keep your cool and keep the customer happy!
✨Tailoring Your Availability
Being part-time means flexibility is key! Be ready to discuss your availability honestly. Employers in retail love candidates who can adapt their schedules to peak hours. Show that you're keen to work evenings or weekends if it helps them out.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Teamwork is essential in retail. Bring up experiences where you worked effectively in a team, whether it’s in previous jobs, school projects, or volunteering. We want to know how you can contribute to a positive team environment at The Flat Lay Co.!
