Assistant Merchandiser - Womenswear Non Clothing

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role:
NEXT is recruiting for an Assistant Merchandiser for our Womenswear Non-Clothing team.

What You’ll Take On
Building Relationships: Across new and existing stakeholders to unlock growth opportunities. Professionalism and calmness are musts as the day to day contact for a wide supply base. The ability to persuade, negotiate and reach mutually beneficial outcomes is key.

Monitoring In-Season Performance and Trading Opportunities: Track sales performance, inventory levels, and markdowns throughout the season. Identify trends and patterns to make informed decisions and adjustments. Implement strategies to maximise profitability and minimise risk.

Formulating Range Structure Proposals: Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to identify opportunities as well as develop range structures that align with Next’s positioning and target market. Present proposals outlining assortment plans, pricing strategies, and key product features.

Presenting in internal and external Meetings: Prepare visually engaging presentations that effectively communicate range proposals. Clearly articulate rationale behind proposals, incorporating data and insights. Address questions and concerns from stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

Appraising Performance and Proposing Strategies: Evaluate previous season performance, departmental metrics, and supplier performance. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and propose strategies to address performance gaps and maximise opportunities.

Maintaining Merchandise Systems: Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems by updating data regularly. Confirm supplier contracts and maintain correct sizing, forecasts, and inventory levels. Conduct regular audits to identify and resolve discrepancies. Ensure that critical path deadlines are met and that the critical path is reviewed regularly to respond to new and emerging challenges.

Responsible for preparing and communicating data and sales information to the wider team including Director level.

Controlling Spend: Review budgets and commitment regularly to monitor spend. Analyse spending patterns and implement strategies to optimise allocation of open to buy and maximise flexibility to trade in season. Negotiate favourable terms with suppliers to achieve cost efficiencies and lead time benefits.

Guiding Product Admin and Managing Tasks: Provide clear direction and support to product admin, helping to set expectations and goals. Delegate tasks effectively, providing guidance and feedback as needed. Monitor progress and provide coaching to help develop skills and confidence.

What You’ll Bring
Great Communication Skills: Prepare clear and engaging presentations for internal and external meetings. Tailor your communication style to your audience, ensuring information is conveyed effectively and actively listen to feedback and respond thoughtfully to questions or concerns. You must be confident in dealing with senior team when presenting trade or selection.

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. Contribute to a culture of empowerment and ownership 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 ,buying and tech teams to bring innovative products to market.

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.

At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.

If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.

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Benefits