Junior Merchandiser

Castore exists for one single reason - to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS, an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help to optimise athletic performance in all conditions.

The founders’ vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world, with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement.

The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of mass-market brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these, the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.

**The Role**

At Castore the Junior Merchandiser plays a crucial role supporting your Merchandiser with trading the dept, chasing down sales opportunities and defining the strategy and planning for future seasons ranges.

**Responsibilities**:
Planning:

- Review previous season and produce SWOT Analysis to shape and guide future ranges.
- With the Channel Manager formulate the space and grading plan for store distribution.
- Ensure that the buy matches the buy plan
- Drives challenge and analysis to ensure the range is constructed in a commercial well balanced way that delivers on all KPI’s
- Attend key selection meetings with the Category Manager and Channel Manager
- Build the Range plan.
- Review size ratios for all buys in conjunction with the MAA.
- Manage the order books both in season and preseason to ensure that the most accurate information is always in the system.

Trading:

- Create merchandising strategies that align with customer expectations and company goals.
- Working cross functionally with Buying, Branch Merchandising, Ecomm and Retail teams to ensure we land commercial plans across the business
- Review weekly trading performance identifying Issues and actions in preparation for the weekly trading meetings which you will lead. Propose trading actions.
- Manage Linecards and support MAA to help drive actions.
- Working in conjunction with the Branch Merchandiser, review weekly sales and stock by store to optimise profit, with space and density analysis. Construct initial allocation quantities and store profiling through full price and outlets
- Visit and understand the store base on a regular basis. Create action plans to Optimise Store performance.
- Managing pricing for the End of Season Sale and promotional activities
- Regularly reviewing slow stock packages, identifying areas of opportunity, and proposing trade actions

People and Communication:

- Work with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer to deliver the plan
- Leading the MAA on strategic direction and day to day tasks to ensure all aligned and clear on the focus.
- Acting as a bridge between Merchandising, Channels, Wholesale and Logistics
- Communicating and building relationships with retail and ecomm teams
- Managing upwards into the senior leadership team to provide updates and highlight opportunity / risks

**Skills & Qualities**
- Solid experience in a similar Junior Merchandising role, or high level AM
- Passion for working with product
- Commercial awareness, able to identify risks and opportunities
- Excellent organisation and project management skills, with the ability to multi-task
- Proven ability to embed robust processes that contribute towards successful achievement of company targets and KPIs
- The ability to translate technical merchandising data into strategic and tactical objectives that can be used across the business
- Excellent communication skills - persuasive, engaging and making complex data relatable
- Advanced Excel skills
- Eye for detail and numbers
- Experience of influencing multiple stakeholders and departments

**What We Offer**
- Competitive salary
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Modern city centre offices in Manchester
- An opportunity to work with global sporting partners
- Office breakout space with pool tables, dart board and TV’s
- A chance to build a career with a fast paced, high growth brand
- Employee assistance programme
- Generous staff discount