At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage stock and ensure timely delivery to inspire creativity and play.
- Company: Join The Works, a vibrant company dedicated to unlocking imagination.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25% discount, flexible hours, and access to training.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping product ranges that inspire customers.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and a passion for creativity are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham.
Why The Works?
We don’t just sell products.
We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.
The Works
It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.
This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.
Become a Merchandiser
As a Merchandiser, you play a crucial role in ensuring that the right products are available at the right time, in the right place, and in the right quantities. Using data and insight, you plan and manage stock effectively to drive sales, protect margins, and contribute to strong commercial performance.
You collaborate closely with Buyers, Planners, and suppliers to build well-balanced ranges that meet customer demand while remaining commercially sound. From planning new launches to reviewing performance and adjusting forecasts, your decisions directly influence both the customer experience and overall business success.
By keeping a close eye on trends, identifying opportunities and risks, and maintaining smooth stock flow, you help create a consistent and engaging product offer that supports our wider purpose. Your ability to interpret data and shape strategic decisions ensures we continue to deliver a compelling product range that keeps customers returning and drives long-term growth.
Your Mission
- Oversee timely delivery of stock: Ensure stock reaches the warehouse on time, maximising availability and aligning with agreed KPIs and timelines across all channels.
- Support on-time delivery: Drive the achievement of merchandising milestones within the critical path, addressing issues swiftly and negotiating confidently with suppliers to ensure smooth operations.
- Manage stock budgets effectively: Maintain the right stock levels throughout the year, especially during peak periods like new launches, Christmas, and promotions, ensuring the business is always ready to deliver.
- Take responsibility for order management: Ensure all orders stay within the set parameters and align with the critical path, helping to keep everything running efficiently.
- Own and optimise forecasts: Take charge of category, range, and SKU-level forecasts to ensure sales, stock holding, margin, and availability are maximised to support business success.
- Maintain WSSI and line card management: Update and manage the WSSI, with experience in OTB and budget management, ensuring stock and finances stay aligned with business goals.
- Collaborate on product range planning: Work closely with the Buyer (and Senior Merchandiser) to present compelling product ranges, factoring in budget, space, ranking, buy quantities, and intake phasing.
- Support range and promotional analysis: Use attribute analysis to drive insightful recommendations for range reviews and promotional strategies, ensuring we’re always ahead of the market.
- Analyse weekly trading performance: Identify challenges and opportunities, providing clear, actionable insights to maximise profitability and optimise product performance.
- Deliver sales in line with strategy: Drive sales in accordance with the budget and strategic objectives, ensuring the business continues to meet its targets.
- Coach and develop your team: Inspire and develop your direct reports, helping them reach their full potential and boosting overall performance across the team.
Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart
- Strong Analytical Skills: The ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimise stock, sales, and availability.
- Attention to Detail: Accuracy in managing stock levels, orders, and forecasts, ensuring that everything aligns with business needs and customer demand.
- Commercial Awareness: Understanding the bigger picture of the business, knowing how sales, margin, and stock influence performance, and aligning your actions with company goals.
- Organisation & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively, especially during busy periods, while maintaining high standards.
- Effective Communication: Clear and confident communication with internal teams (e.g., Buyers, Planners) and external suppliers to ensure smooth processes.
- IT Proficiency: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel (or other data analysis tools) and merchandising systems to track performance and make informed decisions.
- Team Collaboration: A team player who works well with others, whether it’s within the merchandising team or across departments like buying, logistics, and marketing.
- Adaptability: Flexible and adaptable, able to adjust plans and strategies based on changing market conditions or customer trends.
Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’
- 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
- MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more
- Family Friendly Leave - Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
- Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
- Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
- Stream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
- Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
- 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
- Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
- And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.
Our Purpose
To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.
Our Values
Crafty | Smart with what we've got.
Caring | Heart in every action.
Can-do | Energy that gets it done.
We Listen. We Care
Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.
Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments
At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).
We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!
Because when people spend time doing what they love, it’s Time Well Spent.
And with the right passion - It All Starts With You.
Merchandiser - Maternity Cover (FTC) employer: The Works Stores Ltd
The Works is an exceptional employer, recognised as the 10th Best Big Company to Work For in 2024, offering a vibrant work culture that inspires creativity and learning. With generous benefits including a 25% colleague discount, enhanced family leave, and access to the Can-Do Academy for professional development, employees are empowered to grow and thrive. Located in Coleshill, Birmingham, the hybrid working model fosters flexibility while ensuring meaningful engagement across teams, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser - Maternity Cover (FTC)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser - Maternity Cover (FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to The Works Stores Ltd:Don’t forget to personalise your application for The Works Stores Ltd! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Works Stores Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that The Works Stores Ltd offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at The Works Stores Ltd and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
