Merchandiser (MAT Cover 12 months Fixed Term Contract)

We are looking for a Merchandiser to join Team OB in our Support Office on a 12 month maternity cover contract, you will be working on Bags.

As a Merchandiser you will work in partnership with the Buyer to deliver the department strategy, maximising sales and profitability. You will develop strong working relationships with both the Buying and Design teams to understand the vision and direction of the product category.

You will work closely with the Head of Merchandising, and manage a Senior MAA.

You will be confident and dynamic with an analytical approach and have a real enthusiasm for the OB brand and our product. Using your experience you will review critical paths, meet deadlines and plan and analyse seasons.

Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week.

A bit about us

At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work.

Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We dont take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do.

Our team knows their stuff. Theyre confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.

More about the role

An OB Merchandiser will:

• Gain a detailed understanding of the brands strategy, including trends and customer profile, ensuring this is delivered within department strategy
• Formulate all department plans including, sales, optimum stock levels, OTB, terminal stocks - setting targets for the team to trade against
• Deliver profit and margin targets, using supplier base to constantly challenge routes to achieve margin
• Construct the optimum range by balancing product and price whilst considering external factors eg product trend, competition, store feedback
• Work closely with the buyer to formulate trading strategies for the season, and present alongside key lessons learnt in sign off meetings
• Manage department option planning to deliver newness throughout the season
• Oversee analysis of store sales and space to create and implement store densities, grades and allocation quantities
• Responsible for planning key launch dates and working alongside Buying team to ensure these are met
• Forecast supplier business levels using historical sales performance and critical path delivery
• Ensure collections are delivered at grade and achieving margin
• Manage department WSSI and oversee category WSSIs, coaching the team to help them effectively analyse the information provided
• Re forecast the WSSI based on current trade, and manage OTB budget, ensuring any potential issues are managed in a timely manner
• Provide key suppliers with intake forecasts for upcoming season
• Provide accurate warehouse forecasts to minimise costs and balance needs of business intake and dispatch requirements
• Oversee the intake process across departments to ensure timely launch
• Maintain an awareness of current trading conditions, conducting thorough market and competitor analysis to support proposals regarding potential markdowns, re-prices, promotions, etc.

Bonas Benefits:

• Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
• Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First offering financial, emotional and vocational support
• Flexible holiday 30 days (including bank holidays) increasing to 35 days with length of service
• Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
• Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical
• Free access to our onsite gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Quarterly free lunch
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
• Mental Health First Aider support
• Education and support throughout Looop eLearning platform

What we look for:

• Experience at Junior Merchandising level or equivalent
• Marketplace experience would be preferential but not essential
• Genuine passion for OB product categories
• Effective communicator and strong decision-maker
• Self-motivated with a can do attitude
• Strong analytical skills with attention to details
• Ability to plan and organise an ever-changing workload
• Confidence in presenting to Senior Management Team and ability to flex the style depending on an audience
• Strong Microsoft Office skills in particular, Excel
• Excellent commercial awareness and proven ability to drive profit

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