Merchandiser

Job Description

Merchandiser
Between £130 per day
ASAP to 26th June

JOB PURPOSE
The Merchandiser will be responsible for all Planning & Forecasting, Reporting & Analysis of their Product Category creating and maintaining effective cross-functional relationships to drive the Division in support of business strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Detailed category sales, margin & inventory plans to support delivery of the Product Division strategic plan.
• Bottoms-up sales, margin & procurement forecasts to deliver seasonal fashion & replenishment targets.
• All related reporting & analysis for the product category and to support all Divisional reporting & analytics.
• Drive medium (1 year) and longer (5 year) term forecasting both at style and category level.
• Partner with Regional Teams to manage Global Inventory Optimization through re-balancing/ transfers/ risk management.
• Support and work with Vendor, Supply Chain and Sourcing teams, to manage capacity planning and flow of intake.

Pre-Season
• Develop and “shape” category plans aligned with Merchandising strategies/initiatives and reconciled with Regional Seasonal Plan to deliver the Global Seasonal Plan - including global review and analysis of key product & category metrics.
• Sign off Seasonal Plans with Chief Merchandise Officer and VP of Planning for sign off, and presenting plans to Global & Regional leads of Planning and Merchandising.
• Responsible for detailed analysis, forecasting and cost targeting as it relates to Supply Chain to drive demand planning (production capacity forecasts & RM pre-commitment) driving profitability and mitigating investment risk.
• Owner of RM forecasts and to make pre-buy proposals based on Global Sourcing critical path for the product category.
• Manage all FG unit forecasts or forecast consolidation at each level of the product hierarchy to material & SKU level (where appropriate).
• Responsible for analysis, parameters (assortment size, price point & flow) and recommendations related to the development of seasonal range plan and Brand Buy for the product category.
• Drive replenishment sales and inventory as it relates to the product category (process enhancements & best practice) global forecast management, RM positioning HUB inventory management.
• Taking seasonal FG placement proposals (inventory investment) and all related reporting & analysis.
• Report on product category margin analysis and target setting.
• Assist with financial analysis and strategic input to pricing architecture for the product category.

In Season
• Owner of product category FG inventory placement proposals, management, and reporting of HUB Free Stock and (future) all replenishment inventories.
• Lead in-season inventory reaction proposals (investment & exit) based on retail and wholesale forecasts & in collaboration with the cross-functional team to maximize all sell in/out opportunities for the product category.
• Responsible for proposing product category markdown & delist content & timing.

Reporting and Analysis
• Owner of standardized and ad hoc reporting & analysis required to drive Product Division strategy as well as day-to-day decision-making.
• Drive seasonal hindsight analysis and milestone meetings, ensuring a consistent, global understanding of business performance and future opportunities.
• Supports the Divisional Director/ Planning Manager in all presentation analysis and preparation.

PERSONAL PROFILE
• Retail experience and mindset
• Passion for commerce/product
• Demonstrates commercial instinct
• Strong Analytical skills
• Retail maths skills
• Advanced skills in Excel