Assistant Merchandiser

**Assistant Merchandiser**

**Based at our Head Office in Whyteleafe, Surrey (just 15 minutes outside of Croydon, easily commutable from London**

**Competitive hybrid working model enhanced by variable core hours**

**Great benefits that are worth getting excited about including an impressive 50% staff discount and your Birthday off**

We’re on the lookout for an incredibly talented and passionate Assistant Merchandiser, with proven experience as an AM in fashion retail. In this role you will be pro-active in identifying opportunities to maximise sales performance and profitability, using your commercial skills to ensure accurate stock levels and sufficient cover. You'll work collaboratively with the team providing daily figure analysis, future sales and range planning, as well as working closely with the Buying team to deliver the Critical Path enabling the departments' success.

**A bit about Ann Summers**

We’re a brand that strives to **EMPOWER**, lives to **PUSH BOUNDARIES**, gets kicks off **MAKING IT HAPPEN** and absolutely **LOVES OUR CUSTOMER**

Whether you’re working at our head office, in one of our stores, as part of our warehouse operation or as a self-employed Ambassador, one thing that’s guaranteed is no two days are the same. We’re a unique brand with phenomenally talented experts - together we inspire to achieve the brand’s global vision.

**The role of an Assistant Merchandiser at AS**:

- Supporting Trade, reviewing department performance and responding to trading patterns, highlighting risks and opportunities to the merchandiser.
- Conducting weekly Line Print meetings with MAA and Channel team. Suggesting and agreeing on actions with the Merchandiser prior to the meeting and feedback on any comments after the meeting.
- Working with the Merchandiser to review all aspects of your categories’ WSSIs, forecasting sales & profit based on current trends and managing terminal stocks. Highlighting sales, profit and stock risks and opportunities.
- Managing line cards with MAA support, ensuring full availability of continuity lines, making suggestions of re-orders to merchandiser and highlighting any stock risks.
- Supporting strategy/buy planning by pulling lessons learnt and analysing data. Contributes to the buying and sign off process.
- Attending and contribute to weekly critical path meetings. Feedback to Merchandiser & management and seeks to resolve issues.
- Supporting MAA with intake management and is solution orientated when dealing with suppliers and ensures critical dates are met. Solving problems under Merchandiser guidance.
- Planning and preparing size breakdowns and sizing grid. Review and sign off with the Merchandiser before sending to suppliers.
- Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including buying, wholesale, warehouse, VM and channel.
- Assisting in the training and development of the Merchandising Admin Assistant, in addition to supporting them in the day to day running of the department.

**What are we looking for**:

- Previous experience at Assistant Merchandiser level or similar, preferably gained with a fashion retailer (ideal not essential)
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to react appropriately to in-season trading.
- Intermediate / Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, vlookups)
- The ability to thrive in a fun and dynamic environment
- Genuine pride in doing a great job, empowering others with the quality of performance and output
- An amazing stakeholder manager and relationship builder, who leads by example, inspiring individuals & teams to do their best
- An authentic ambassador of the brand, championing and demonstrating our people values at all times.

At Ann Summers we are proud to continue embracing inclusion, diversity and equality in our every day, supporting our people to be themselves. We are committed to building teams with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views.

**What’s in it for you?**

Being part of the AS family offers some fab benefits, not only is it a great brand to be a part of, but not only will enjoy 50% staff discount, but so much more, take a look
- 29 Holidays (including Bank Holidays) and additional 1-day holiday up to 34 days for each additional year you’re part of the AS family
- Hybrid working (3 days from home and 2 days from Head Office)
- Flexible core hours
- Workplace pension
- Life Assurance
- Additional Holidays and a paid day off for your Birthday
- A week off after getting married/civil partnership
- Colleague social activities
- Bonus scheme
- Private medical care
- Eye care vouchers
- Company perks scheme
- Additional holiday purchase scheme
- Free on-site car park at HO

We value each one of our colleagues and aim to make Ann Summers a great place to be - after all, if you love what you do, you'll never WORK a day in your life.
- Ann Summers complies with all GDPR policies and by respond