At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform creative ideas into a seamless shopping experience and manage stock levels.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading retail brand with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25% discount, flexible working, and access to training and development.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of merchandising and influence what customers love to buy.
- Qualifications: Tech-savvy, analytical, and have retail experience with a positive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid - 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham.
As a Merchandising Assistant you will play a key role in bringing our brand’s vision to life – transforming creative ideas into a seamless shopping experience for customers. Sitting at the heart of our Supply Chain team you will help shape what ends up on the store floor or website, ensuring the right products are in the right place, at the right time.
This role goes beyond spreadsheets and stock counts – it’s about understanding customer behaviour, spotting trends before they take off, and working collaboratively to drive commercial success. By supporting everything from sales analysis and stock planning to supplier communications and product launches, you will help create ranges that not only meet demand but inspire it.
Your Mission
- Take ownership of deliveries: monitoring deliveries and stock levels in collaboration with suppliers.
- Sign off shipments in accordance with critical path and stock target parameters.
- Review Distribution Centre and store stock weekly to ensure optimisation of stock in stores and DC.
- Raise and manage new orders on the system.
- Ensure all information is accurately attributed in the system for analysis.
- Prepare weekly sales and stock performance reports.
- Provide relevant analysis to support business decisions.
- Highlight lines and recommend actions based on over and under‑performing lines.
- Assist with range planning and product sign‑offs.
- Work closely with the Allocation team to ensure allocation reflects range planning and store distribution.
- Manage exceptions reporting within Slimstock to proactively support stock management and optimise sales.
Skills and Behaviours
- Tech‑savvy: strong command of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, with a willingness to learn new systems.
- Analytical: enjoy analysing data, spotting trends and using insights to drive smart decisions.
- Experience in retail or customer‑facing role, with a positive, energetic, can‑do attitude.
- Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and first‑time correctness.
Benefits
- 25% colleague discount and exclusive double discount days.
- MyWorks: access to online discounts across retailers, holidays, utilities, tech and more.
- Family‑friendly leave with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- 33 holiday days including bank holidays.
- Additional 5 holiday purchase days.
- Can‑Do Academy: instant access to further training and development.
- Stream: claim early access to 50% of wages as earned.
- Share Scheme: ownership opportunity.
- 24/7 support through the Retail Trust and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health‑cash plan to support everyday healthcare costs.
- Long service awards, pension, life assurance, cycle to work and optional charity giving.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The Works is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers and the LGBTQ+ community. We offer flexible working and reasonable adjustments. If you need an adjustment for an interview, please let us know.
Merchandising Assistant employer: The Works Stores Ltd
Join a dynamic team as a Merchandising Assistant at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham, where creativity meets commerce. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and personal growth, offering extensive training opportunities through our Can-Do Academy and a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances and a colleague discount scheme. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we ensure that every employee feels valued and supported in their career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising Assistant
✨Get Visible in Your Community
Retail hiring often happens locally, so don’t hesitate to stroll into shops like The Works Stores Ltd with your CV in hand. Engage with the staff—show them your enthusiasm and ask about any openings. It’s all about making a memorable impression, so don’t shy away from being friendly!
✨Join Retail Job Fairs
Local job fairs are a goldmine for entry-level retail positions. Keep an eye out for events in your area where The Works Stores Ltd might have a booth. This allows us to chat directly with hiring managers and get the inside scoop on what they're looking for!
✨Leverage Your Social Networks
Utilise social media platforms to let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for an entry-level retail gig. You’d be amazed at how many opportunities come from a simple post. Ask if anyone’s heard about openings at The Works Stores Ltd or similar spots—it’s all about tapping into your network!
✨Look for Seasonal Opportunities
Retail often ramps up staffing during holiday seasons, so keep an eye out for temporary positions. Get in touch with The Works Stores Ltd around times like Christmas or Black Friday. Applying for seasonal roles can sometimes lead to permanent positions if you impress!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, it's all about the customer experience! Make sure your CV highlights any previous customer service roles or relevant experiences. Whether it's a part-time gig or volunteering, include instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for customers to showcase your people skills.
Keep It Clear and Concise:Retail hiring managers sift through tons of applications, so get straight to the point. Tailor your CV to include key information like your availability and any retail experience, but make it easy to read. Bullet points and a tidy layout can make all the difference for those first impressions!
Craft a Friendly Cover Letter:Since this is an entry-level position, let your enthusiasm shine through in your cover letter! Mention why you're excited about working at The Works Stores Ltd specifically—people love to see a genuine connection. Talk about your willingness to learn and how you're ready to take on the challenges of retail.
Research and Refer to Retail Trends:Showing knowledge of the retail industry can set you apart! Briefly mention some current retail trends or issues in your application to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the market. It’ll show that you’re not just any applicant but someone who genuinely cares about the brand and its customers.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Works Stores Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In the retail world, customer service is king! Get ready to share your experiences dealing with customers, whether it’s from previous jobs or volunteering. Think about examples where you handled tough situations or went the extra mile, as employers like The Works Stores Ltd want to see that you’ve got the people skills to keep their customers happy.
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before heading to your interview at The Works Stores Ltd, take a deep dive into their product range. If you have a particular brand or category you're passionate about, bring that enthusiasm to the conversation. Familiarising yourself with their values and bestsellers can really set you apart as someone who's not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in retail.
✨Dress the Part – Retail Style
For an entry-level role in retail, your appearance can say a lot about your understanding of the industry. Dress smart but relatable—think about what you'd wear on the shop floor. Showing that you understand the brand image of The Works Stores Ltd through your style can give you an edge right from the get-go.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Retail is all about teamwork! Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team environment at The Works Stores Ltd. Having stories that illustrate how you've worked well with others, whether in school projects or group activities, can showcase your collaborative spirit, which is crucial for an entry-level position.
