At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of innovative Planograms to enhance shopping experiences.
- Company: Wickes, a forward-thinking retail business with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, hybrid working, pension scheme, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team that values inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on retail design and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in space planning software and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Space Planner or Merchandiser looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for blending the 'art' and 'science' of retail to create safe, practical, and highly profitable shopping experiences? This role will give a creative and analytical individual the opportunity to lead the development of accurate and innovative Planograms across our category ranges. Wickes is a forward-thinking business, and as a Category Merchandiser, you will have a direct impact on how our customers shop, holding final decision-making authority over Planogram design and macro space blocks before final sign-off.
We are looking for someone who can challenge the status quo and use lateral thinking to solve complex spatial problems across our unique store layouts. Balancing store productivity, safety, and commercial returns, you will proactively collaborate with cross-functional teams to land retail changes smoothly and efficiently.
What you’ll be doing:
- Collaborate with Commercial Category teams to develop accurate, practical Planograms for new product introductions, range reviews, and merchandising improvements.
- Physically test completed Planograms in test or live environments to guarantee integrity.
- Proactively prepare ranging reports and charts to provide product-level recommendations, ensuring informed commercial decisions are made regarding space allocation.
- Ensure all Planograms strictly adhere to Merchandising Health & Safety policies, complete necessary risk assessments, and obtain approval for new concepts.
- Collaborate with Buyers, Brand Design, Suppliers, and Operations to innovate and develop new racking and equipment for safer, more effective product displays.
- Coordinate the rollout of project progress and ranging changes to stakeholders, ensuring store activity adheres to agreed workload parameters.
- Provide vital on-site support for new store openings, format rollouts, store re-merchandising projects, and post-implementation evaluations.
- Manage significant quantitative outputs across 20 to 30 projects annually, maintaining approximately 500 planograms, 300 floorplans, and accurate ranging for around 8,000 SKUs.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience using modern space planning/merchandising software (e.g., Blue Yonder/Intactix Space Planning & Floor Planning) alongside basic familiarity with CAD planning software and strong spreadsheet competency.
- A minimum of 2 years of operational experience within a multi-site retail environment, with a good understanding of consumer shopping behaviour and practical merchandising techniques.
- Excellent spatial awareness, visual 3D observation skills, and robust organizational abilities to manage high project volumes.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present data-driven proposals to cross-functional teams and influence peers at all levels.
- An 'A' level qualification in a design-related subject (or equivalent) alongside GCSEs in English and Maths.
What's in it for you?
We’re a team. And teams work best together when they know and respect one another. Listen and learn from one another. So we offer a hybrid working model. Giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- 25 Days holiday plus bank holidays
- Enhanced contributory Pension and Life Assurance
- Hybrid flexible working (based in Watford)
- Save-as-you-earn scheme
- Colleague discount
- Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause, and fertility support.
About Us:
We care for our people - and we look out for one another. Everyone has a voice. We’re ambitious, but we’re inclusive, supportive and down-to-earth with it. Anyone can build on their talent and expect our support to get on.
Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required - general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.
Category Merchandiser in Watford employer: Wickes
Wickes is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, allowing Category Merchandisers to thrive in a hybrid working environment based in Watford. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances, enhanced pension schemes, and various health support initiatives. Our commitment to professional growth ensures that every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and make a meaningful impact on our customers' shopping experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Merchandiser in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who work at Wickes or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best Planograms and merchandising projects. Bring it along to interviews to demonstrate your creative and analytical prowess—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable with common interview questions related to space planning and merchandising. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to refine your answers and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from Wickes.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Merchandiser in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:When you're crafting your application, don't just list your experience. We want to see how you blend creativity with analytical skills. Share examples of how you've tackled spatial challenges or designed innovative Planograms in the past.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves making informed commercial decisions, make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis. We love seeing candidates who can present data-driven proposals, so include any relevant metrics or outcomes from your previous projects.
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their skills and experiences with what we're looking for, especially in terms of space planning and merchandising techniques.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wickes
✨Know Your Planograms
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of Planograms and how they impact customer shopping experiences. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've developed or improved Planograms in previous roles, as this will show your practical understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical abilities by discussing how you’ve used data to make merchandising decisions. Bring examples of reports or charts you've created that influenced space allocation or product placement, as this aligns with the job's focus on data-driven decision-making.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex spatial problems. Think about how you can present your past experiences in a way that highlights your ability to influence cross-functional teams.
✨Embrace Creativity and Innovation
Wickes is looking for someone who can challenge the status quo. Prepare to share instances where you've used lateral thinking to solve merchandising challenges. Highlight any innovative solutions you've implemented, especially those that improved safety or efficiency in product displays.
