Vacancy: Merchandiser

We are looking for a Merchandiser to join the business and oversee a number of product categories and help deliver transformational performance and align with our company values and vision.

As Merchandiser you will be supporting the Merchandising team to maximise commercial opportunities through the effective management of inventory, driving sales through improved availability and forecasting, reducing a mark down and maximizing profit.

Required skills

• Advanced planning and analytical skills, including being proficient in Excel.
• Good judgement and decision making skills
• Confidence in suggesting calculated risks
• Strong customer awareness and understanding
• Passionate about product, strong market and brand awareness
• Discreet, professional and well spoken, with excellent communication skills
• Exceptionally organised, methodical and efficient.
• Time keeping & ability to meet stringent deadlines

Key responsibilities

• Accurate forecasting of stock within the designated product range based on business trend analysis and research always working to target KPIs .
• Target customer service Levels to be met and recovery plans implemented where required i.e. improvements through sea freight.
• Maximise on opportunities/turnover through stock pushes at key event periods and clearing overstocks where possible working towards target KPI on turnover.
• Where applicable manage essential fabric holdings at the mills to ensure lead times are maintained which is critical to service and must be treated as a priority, however, forward thinking to ensure the MOQ is managed effectively to reduce overstocks if discontinued.
• Monitoring of customer store and till sales, amendments to forecast estimates as and when required; regular monitoring of low selling lines to identify if they need to be discontinued.
• Planning ahead up to 6 months in advance when looking at fabric and requirements, ensure any planned increases are discussed with Dunelm ahead of lead time, particular around peak/sale – PL increases/web builds.
• Full discontinued strategy done twice yearly for a full review of design/colour performance and give focus to possible drop lines ahead of the sign off for new season.
• Communication on trends, cross-coordination across categories and manage MOQ’s accordingly across the areas to reduce risk if discontinued.

New Launch

• When reviewing orders for new launch, manage buffer stocks to ensure if overperformed by +40% from launch, we would be able to service for a minimum of 6 weeks, and fabric held at mill to support rebuys always taking into consideration the MOQ.
• Attend weekly critical path meetings with the technical team to ensure sealing is on track, and shipment requested for initial orders can be achieved.
• Liaising with the logistics team to aid with the planning of intake/ distribution of newness.
• Full website review of our products 4 weeks following launch to ensure all lines are live and on sale correctly and review any competition which could potentially split sales.

Supplier Management

• Place orders with the mill in a timely manner to ensure that customer delivery requirements are met. Orders placed by either sea or air freight depending on delivery time scales.
• Management of the mills to ensure that all deliveries arrive at the specified time, being fully aware of any delays or stock shortages. Liaise with customer as and when required.
• Complete monthly forward estimates for the mills production and managing fabric accordingly, fabric planning is critical to service and lead times and must be managed with suppliers as a priority.
• Keep up to date with all reports requiring completion including customer stock availability reports, new launch at risk report, service predictor and ad hoc reports as required.

Reporting/KPI’s

• Complete bi-weekly category updates with merch manager to review KPI’s and performance in 121’s. Stock holding/ turn, Turnover, EOS losses, AF spend, Forecast Accuracy.
• Management of category/departmental reports i.e fabric reports, allocation value reports, stock visibility reports, high/low demand to forecast, and management of KPI’s within including, valuation, turnover, service, stock turn, forecast accuracy and profit and loss.

Design and Technical

• Liaise with the Technical department where needed with regard to product development, quality issues and faulty stock.
• Support Team leader in providing the Design team with sales analysis to help with decision making on new products within the tracker meetings and also the gaps and opportunities process, twice yearly.
• Monthly updates with the design team to update on current performance, key lines, colour rankings and new launch sales updates.

Hours of work: 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 3.00pm on Friday.
Location: Smithybridge

Salary: Dependant on experience

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter to HR@clelandmciver.co.uk