Category Merchandiser

**The Company**:
A fantastic opportunity for a **Category Merchandiser (Hybrid working)** to join a prestigious kitchenware retailer with 50+ stores nationally. A tight-knit family operation, who have invested millions to ensure that their online offering istop notch, and that their retail stores can offer an experience worthy of a visit. That innovative spirit coupled with intense customer focus has been the story of their success. **THIS ROLE IS A 12 MONTH MATERNITY COVER CONTRACT**

**Hybrid working - Minimum 1 day in the office per week in the Lancaster region.**

**The Role**
- Deliver total company sales, achieve margin & stock targets.
- Accountable for departmental range build, financial planning, forecasting and trading in line with budgeted KPIs
- Ensure that the right product, in the right quantity, is in the right place at the right time to maximise availability.
- Management of circa 1,000 SKUs sourced from up to 200 suppliers worldwide.
- Responsible for multi-channel stock management across retail stores, Amazon & franchise partners.
- Create and develop, in collaboration with Buyer, a department strategy.
- Source & build a balanced, commercial and profitable range within the agreed KPI framework.
- Create a store grading plan for all product categories which offers the customer true choice, optimises allocated space, and maximises sales & profit density.
- Define clear retail pricing architecture in conjunction with Buyer.
- Ensuring our value for money perception isn’t compromised
- Create a weekly phased financial plan / budget which delivers the strategy in line with KPIs.
- Provide suppliers with estimated production requirements to ensure effective on time launch
- Plan initial allocation of stock by grade including MDQ, min and max levels
- Maintain close relations with Retail to gain feedback that informs ranging and availability decisions
- In Season Trading, Inventory & Commitment Management
- Prepare, analyse and present weekly trading data to review departmental performance.
- Identify trends against plans and pinpoint possible solutions.
- Manage weekly ordering & intake of stock to achieve planned stock targets & maximise sales.
- Manage rolling monthly re-forecasting of sales, stock & intake for all product categories.
- Manage new season launch allocation process monitoring new line availability dates and ensuring stock arrives on time.
- Review performance of new ranges 4 - 6 weeks post launch.
- Ensure promotional activity is loaded onto the system correctly prior to go live.
- Manage supplier relationships to support effective end to end stock management ensuring stock is delivered on time and in full and in line with stock targets.
- Improve stock and working capital levels through reduction in MOQ, lead times etc.
- Define future supplier strategies to drive increase in margin through new sourcing strategies.
- Ensure most efficient container loading & shipping plans to maximise margin.
- Liaise with the import teaM/Freight forwarders regarding direct import shipments.
- Visit stores on a regular basis to view the department range and its performance / layout.
- Monitor market activity, through regular competitor shop visits
- People Management - small team.
- Other duties as required.

**Skills Required**:

- Minimum 4 years in an Assistant / Junior Merchandiser role or equivalent.
- Work experience in a multi-channel retail business
- Use of a WSSI planning system at category or department level
- Computer Literacy - intermediate Excel skills
- Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Planning & Organising
- Communicating & Influencing
- Change Management
- Team Working
- Commercial Focus

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**Please be aware the duties listed above are an interpretation of the role and do not form any part of your employment contract. Please ask the interviewer any questions about the role that you wish to clarify.**

**Tagged Resources Limited acts as an employment agency.We have 25 years of Recruitment and Industry experience, working with Retail and Supply Chain markets and have various positions available. If this vacancy does not suit your experience and you are looking for a suitable role please look atour website or follow us on social networking sites. All are updated on a daily basis.