Job description
Assistant Merchandiser
Role Overview
The Assistant Merchandiser (AM) plays a key role within the Merchandising function, providing vital support to the Merchandising team to achieve optimum efficiency and to deliver the department plan on customer, sales, and profit.
The AM takes responsibility for ensuring the right stock and intake is available for our customers, continually looking for opportunities to maximise the potential of both product and stores, whilst working collaboratively within the Merchandising team and key areas of the business.
Responsibilities
Plan
Support with product mix and sign off pack reporting and analysis.
Assist in the formulation of the range plan at store level with the Merchandiser/Buyer
Order:
Create accurate size ratios for all buys.
Ensure planners are accurate to support order raising process.
Support Merchandise Assistants on creating purchase orders via upload.
Reconcile supplier order books and communicate all anomalies, on bigger brands.
Stock:
Collate bookings with Buying team.
Prioritise intake and review booked lines to ensure best stock placement, with guidance from the Merchandiser.
Establish working relationships with supplier base.
Trade:
Review reporting and collate key findings in preparation for department trade email. Compile focus for the week for yourself and Merchandise Assistant.
Review sales analysis to identify key trade actions. Suggest cancellation, rephasing and markdown activity to Merchandiser.
Identify priority stores for the week, review and propose actions.
New / re-fit stores - analysis of performance
Over / under performing stores
Over / under optioned stores
Trading team branch feedback
Identify lines to IBT and fast track.
Propose distribution amends to Buying and Merchandiser.
Check and approve weekly divisional price changes prior to upload.
Review branch actions for the Merchandise Assistant to complete.
Undertake store visits, collates report and feedback.
Help build new store stock package and track progress.
Set up and review Linecards.
Identify ideal level actions.
Check and action range plan to ensure stores hit planned options.
Oversee Merchandise Assistant’s weekly tasks.
Establish collaborative working relationships within teams across functions.
Carry out any ad-hoc analysis as required.
Role objectives and KPIs:
To support the Merchandising team to effectively deliver departmental goals and KPIs – sales, profit, and stock - across all channels (stores and digital), maximising commercial opportunities.
Core competencies:
2.1 Working with People 3.1 Relating and Networking 4.1 Writing and Reporting 4.3 Analysing 5.1 Learning and Researching
6.1. Planning and Organising
Skills and experience:
Analytical, data driven and highly numerate.
Keen eye for detail and ability to accurately enter and check data.
Enthusiastic about JD, its brands and customer.
Good knowledge of Excel.
Confident communicator able to build relationships at all levels.
Able to take ownership of work and use initiative to deliver on key responsibilities.
Good teamwork skills, being able to work collaboratively to reach a common goal, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
Positive, flexible, and responsive to business needs.
Curious with a continuous learning mindset.
Training requirements for role:
GUI
Shogun
Intermediate Excel
Good trade knowledge
Sign off attendance
Size ratios - ratio tool
Planner (Planogram)
Purchase order creation process - PO upload
Reconcile process
Bookings & weekly intake
Manage trade actions
Weekly divisional price changes
Ideal management tool
Linecards
Oversees MA weekly tasks
Store visits
New store reviews
Branch actions
Selektron
Sales Analysis
Cost prices
Training is on-the-job shadowing supported by online resources. Where relevant, face to face training on key tools, systems or processes will be arranged.
