Vacancy Specification
About the Role
A vacancy exists within the Merchandising Department for a Merchandising Assistant. The role of Merchandising Assistant encompasses full responsibility for the design and layout of merchandising planograms in stores for several categories within the business. This role supports the Buying Department and Store Operations in delivering key business objectives. The ideal candidate will maximise the opportunity to deliver on business and department objectives. Our Merchandising Assistants are seen as key contacts for the rest of the business, particularly our Buying and Stores teams. We’ll need you to be a confident communicator, ready to provide fantastic Merchandising support and knowledgeable advice on how our products should be displayed. Unusually, you’ll be regularly liaising with Directors. So, if you’re suggesting a display that’s both pleasing to the customer and practical for the store, you’ll need the confidence to explain your thinking and why it’s the right decision. Organised, analytical and with great attention to detail you’ll enjoy the level of exposure that this role offers: a chance to see how every product, and its display, impacts upon sales and enhances the customer experience. It’s the perfect role for a dedicated individual experienced in supporting a busy team, ideally in Merchandising.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop merchandising plans in line with the Merchandising Review calendar, working cross functionally with buying and operations.
* Ensure all merchandising layouts are profitable, operationally efficient, customer focused and appropriate in terms of product mix, layout, and the trading environment of our stores.
* Understand and adhere to department processes.
* Ensure all merchandising plans are issued to stores in a timely manner.
* Operate the space planning software system (Spaceman) and ensure the information contained within is kept up to date.
* Provide feedback to the Merchandising Manager to ensure systems are fit for purpose and meet ongoing needs.
* Handle and understand data, both internal and from external providers.
* Carry out space utilisation analysis on an ongoing basis to develop category and store level sales. Make suggestions for improvements.
* Maintain the store planogram folders, ensuring they are always up to date.
* Conduct store visits where necessary, including visiting competitor’s stores.
* Deal with day-to-day activities arising within the merchandising department.
* Ensure that a polite and professional manner is maintained in all internal/external communications.
* Contribute positively and constructively to the merchandising team.
Essential and Key Requirements
* A hands-on, proactive approach and previous experience within all areas of the retail space planning process.
* Have the ability to create category specific planograms designed around standard store formats using consistent templates.
* Needs to be driven and passionate about making an impact and be commercial and professional in their approach.
* Excellent written and verbal communication and administration skills.
* Polite and professional manner.
* Understanding of working in a retail business.
* Commercially minded and conscious of the impact that their work has on the wider business.
* Ability to manage and build relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels.
* Proven ability to work on own initiative and effectively manage deadlines within the agreed process (project management).
* Experience in a busy, deadline driven environment.
* Prior experience of working in a team environment.
* Impeccable attention to detail.
* Excellent written and presentation skills.
* Proficient IT skills.
* FMCG experience.
* Full drivers’ license.
Desirable Requirements
* Prior experience working with Category Management and Space Planning applications.
* Analysis experience preferable.
* Experience creating, checking or implementing planograms.
* Experience of using Business, Product, CAD drawings or SAP systems.
* Change management experience.
Benefits
* You’ll get 5 weeks’ paid holiday, plus bank holidays.
* Hybrid working model which will allow employees to work 2 days a week from home and 3 days a week in the office.
* Company Pension (after 4 years).
* Private Employee Medical Insurance (after 4 years).
* Long service awards and sick pay entitlement.
* Maternity, paternity, neonatal and adoption leave.
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