Assistant Merchandiser - Brands (Footwear)

About the Role:
Based at Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing Brands team and broaden your knowledge!

Let’s talk quality… When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a company with a bigger focus on quality. We sell thousands of items an hour and our repeat customer base comes back to us time and time again for our renowned quality products. For anyone in the Brands field - this is the place to learn. To grow. And to thrive.

Merchandising

• Are you passionate about analysis, trading, managing stock, and relationship development?

Your Role:

Liaising with Global Footwear Brands and Curating Collections: Act as the main point of contact for external brands such as Dr. Martens, Timberland, Birkenstock and collaborate closely with these brands to curate commercial collections that align with customer preferences and market trends. Ensure timely communication and collaboration to facilitate smooth trading processes.

Driving Sales Profitability and Building Relationships: Develop strategies to grow sales and profitability for key brands while fostering excellent relationships. Proactively identify opportunities for revenue growth and margin improvement through effective merchandising and pricing strategies. Build rapport with brand representatives to strengthen partnerships and enhance collaboration.

Autonomous Management of Key Brands: Take ownership of the performance of key brands, including managing sales budgets and profit targets.

Internal Collaboration and Business Knowledge: Liaise with internal departments to ensure alignment and support for brand initiatives and develop a comprehensive understanding of the company's business operations and objectives to inform decision-making and strategy development.

Managing Sales Budgets and Profit: Develop and manage sales budgets for key brands, ensuring alignment with overall financial goals. Monitor sales performance against targets and implement strategies to optimise profitability.

Preparing Packs and Conducting Brand Visits: Prepare comprehensive packs prior to selection meetings, providing insights into historical performance and future opportunities. Conduct brand visits to select future season ranges and review trading performance, gathering insights for decision-making.

In-Season Trading and Markdown Management: Monitor in-season sales performance to identify opportunities for maximising sales and minimising markdowns. Implement effective trading strategies to optimise inventory levels and pricing, ensuring alignment with sales targets.

Training and Nurturing Trainee Merchandisers: Take an active role in training and mentoring trainee merchandisers, providing guidance and support to facilitate their professional development.

About You:

Great Communication Skills: Prepare clear and engaging presentations for internal meetings and brand partner discussions. Tailor your communication style to your audience, ensuring information is conveyed effectively and actively listen to feedback and respond thoughtfully to questions or concerns.

Solid Technical Merchandising Skills: Utilise your technical expertise to analyse data, forecast sales, and plan inventory effectively. Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems and contract negotiations to support successful trading relationships. Stay updated on industry best practices and trends to enhance your merchandising capabilities.

Energetic, Enthusiastic, and Self-Confident: Approach your role with energy and enthusiasm, inspiring others with your passion and positivity. Demonstrate confidence in your abilities and decisions, especially when presenting information or leading discussions.

Open-Mindedness to New Ways of Working: Embrace innovation and creativity, actively seeking out new ideas and solutions to challenges. Be receptive to feedback and different perspectives, recognizing that diverse viewpoints can lead to better outcomes. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation within your team.

Enjoyment of the Product/Trend Side of the Role: Immerse yourself in the world of products and trends, staying informed about the latest developments and innovations. Use your passion for products and trends to drive creative merchandising strategies and inspire your team. Actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with design teams and brand partners to bring innovative products to market.

Your Team
Joining the Brands Team at Next during this period of growth is an incredible opportunity! As an Assistant Merchandiser, you'll play a vital role in fostering relationships with external brands and curating collections that resonate with customers and market trends. It's an exciting time to be part of a team that's at the forefront of expanding Next's brand offerings and catering to diverse customer preferences!

Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

Benefits