Assistant Merchandiser - Womenswear Non Clothing

The Role
NEXT is recruiting for an Assistant Merchandiser for our Womenswear Non-Clothing team, this role will be across Rockett St George and Laura Ashley Non-Clothing. 


What You’ll Take On
Building Relationships: Across your Brands , immediate team and a wide supply base to unlock growth opportunities whilst adhering to the DNA of the individual brands. Professionalism and calmness are musts  coupled with the  ability to persuade, negotiate  and reach mutually beneficial outcomes.

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

Range Building: Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to identify opportunities as well as develop ranges  that align with the Brands’  positioning and target markets. Present proposals outlining category 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, insights and Brand guidance.  Address questions and concerns from managers and Brands 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. Ensure that critical path deadlines are in line with the Brands’ needs  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.
 

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 and the Brands  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. Listening to and being sensitive to the needs of the Brands .Contribute to  a culture of empowerment and ownership  within your team.

Enjoyment of the Product/Trend Side of the Role: Immerse yourself in your Brands, the diversity of the offer  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 the Brands , 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.

#LI-Onsite