The Vacancy
Trainee Merchandiser
Primary Objective
1. Optimise the profitability of a designated product area.
2. Developing a commercial liaison across all interfaces with the Merchandising function within the business
Principal Accountabilities
Budget preparation
3. Prepare seasonal buying plans through thorough analysis of historical data and understanding of future trends / activities.
4. Set and agree core KPI’s with the Buyer in terms of sales, stock intake phasing, margin, stockturn, markdown and terminal stock etc.
Range planning
5. Translate agreed KPI’s (as above) into a range framework in conjunction with the Buyer
6. Working with the Buyer to develop commercial ranges within this framework
7. Establish initial stock intake plans and stock covers within this framework
Selection / sign off
8. Ensure final ranges as selected meets the targets outlined as above
9. Jointly with the Buyer to deliver range within the critical path
Intake
10. Plan and control the initial product intake phasing
11. Plan and control mailer / event availability
Stock control
12. Ensure product delivery is in line with the stock distribution strategy (e.g. sufficient outer cartons to meet allocation requirements)
13. Facilitate stock delivery to plan through close liaison with Allocation / DC / Stores.
Trading / In season monitoring
14. Maximise opportunities & minimise risks of the performance of the area by monitoring actual performance versus plan and taking remedial action as necessary.
15. Maintain effective control of;
16. Open to Buy management
17. Intake, despatch, DC & Store stock levels
18. Accurate forecasting of markdown spend
19. Terminal stock forecasts
20. Completion and maintenance of corporate core data / forecasting and statistical tools
Analysis / Data
21. Provide ad hoc analysis in respect of all aspects of the above
22. Maintain comprehensive data records for immediate and future analysis
Commercial Acumen
23. Maintain a full and working knowledge of the product, supply chain, competitors and wider retail market to maximise the performance of the product area.
Liaison
24. Close working relationship with Buying / QA teams.
25. Regular contact with Allocation team / Distribution Centre.
26. Regular store visits and liaison with all store focussed departments
27. Develop close working relationships with all product related departments to encourage co-operation and achievement of the KPI’s.
Personal Attributes
28. Commercial awareness (ideally of Poundstretcher’s product and customer profile)
29. Self motivated
30. Can cope with multiple tasks retaining high level of accuracy
31. Able to find and extract data and develop a full understanding and awareness of business systems relative to fulfilling the role.
32. Good communication and interpersonal skills
33. Displays self confidence and initiative
34. Demonstrates effective team working skills
35. Hardworking and flexible attitude to work
36. Tenacious
37. Good numerical and analytical ability
38. Takes a proactive approach to learning not reliant only upon company training opportunities