19082014
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Merchandiser
Reporting To:
Merchandising Director
Responsible For:
Assistant Merchandiser
Location : Falmouth
1. Primary Objectives
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To work with Buyer to develop, plan and deliver a commercially focused range whilst
driving profit and enhancing Seasalt brand position, irrespective of fluctuating trends
To work with Buyer to create the season’s range, ensuring that the product reflects
the departmental strategy, the range is without gaps or duplication and that the
season is logically and commercially thought through, exceeding and anticipating
customer expectations
To manage an effective and timely product sign off process, appropriate for product
lead time as per the Buying Calendar
To adhere strictly to the Critical Path
To work with Buyer to develop a sound supply policy for Seasalt, striving for
consistent best practice partnerships. Foresee future weaknesses / needs and
suggests possible solutions.
2. Main Tasks and Key Areas of Work
Commercial Awareness
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Work closely with the Merchandising Director to devise a department strategy that
demonstrates a clear understanding of external factors and competitor activity
Demonstrate strong commercial awareness by supporting and challenging Buying
teams to ensure that the product ranges are planned and constructed in line with the
channel and departmental strategy
Develop a strong understanding of the customer to take account of when planning
and building a range
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of all merchandising systems and
processes and fully utilise all available merchandising tools including budgeting,
WSSI, KPI tracker, PSS, Range plans and Line details.
Supply Chain Management
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Book capacity and resource planning with buyers /suppliers, at the appropriate time in
advance of the new season
Ensure that accurate purchase orders are issued to all suppliers in line with the
agreed Critical Path
To ensure product is delivered at the right time for each channel based on thorough
review of pre season planning and review of supply performance.
Ensure the WSSI is reflecting an accurate view of the current stock position at Dept
level.
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Planning
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With Buyer, create and execute the strategy and create a credible and balanced
range, integrating previous season's experience into the new department strategy
and in line with customer expectations
Display an in-depth, customer-focused knowledge of market and trends and channel
performance.
Review trend information and design direction, along with channel performance to
understand growth potentials
Ensure that the correct level of newness is present, and that correct mix of end use is
phased in at the appropriate time. Deliver correct product mixes, price architecture,
right product to right store in right quantity.
Plan best-fit product mix by market type and store recognising diverse needs
Store grading and space planning – ensure that option plans can deliver the
departmental strategy.
Contribute to the creation of the ISP
Manage and liaise with visual merchandising guidelines /fixtures/point of sales with
teams
Forecasting
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Provide weekly, monthly and seasonal reporting and forecasting by department/sub
department
Manage any Open to Buy for each channel.
Book future currency requirements with Finance Director
Forecast week to date sales and profit position for each channel.
Forecast all stock requirements accurately and within guidelines
Trading & Reporting
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Take responsibility for flexing trade between categories and managing mixes,
optimising sale and stock levels and intake phasing to an agreed plan, through
effectives use of WSSI, branch reports and line reports.
React to current sales and trends by managing OTB or current stock situations and
repeating, cancelling or re-phasing where necessary or proposing promotional or
markdown activity
Effectively mange departmental KPI’s within season, ensuring markdown and buying
in margin (BIM) are controlled in order to maximise profit for the department
Take responsibility for managing supply base to ensure delivery is to time and that
intake targets are met whilst anticipating risks and planning contingencies/solutions to
problems as appropriate
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Management of Stock
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Achieve stock and intake targets for the Department
Ensure effective distribution of stock to maximise sales and product performance and
make commercial decisions on allocation exceptions
Provide accurate warehouse forecast to minimise costs and balance needs of
business intake and despatch requirements.
Work alongside Assistant Merchandiser / MAA/Allocator to ensure optimum stock
levels are delivered into each channel at the seasonally appropriate time to meet
customer demand and expectations
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Store visits
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Identify visit opportunities
Prepare for visit, identify issues to raise, report findings and collate information to
discuss with team
Propose, implement and follow up on action following visit
Team working
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Motivate departmental team in order to develop their talent through effective
management
Regularly monitor and review levels of performance within own team and effectively
manage appraisal and review process to deliver training, coaching and development
needs
Build effective relationships with team members across buying, design, tech, retail,
marketing and VM
Build relationships across peer group in order to drive performance
Build relationships across the business with other functions to encourage constructive
feedback and communications between departments
Key Documents
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Range Plan
Product Status Sheet
KPI Tracker
WSSI
Delivery Schedule
3. Performance Targets
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Agreed KPI’s achieved
Buying Calendar and Critical Path achieved
Deliveries on time to UK warehouse
Stock levels optimised and minimum stock loss achieved
Efficient and effective stock distribution
4. Scope of Authority
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To line manage Assistant Merchandiser/Allocator/Merchandising Admin Assistant
5. Other Specific Requirements of the Post
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Keep confidential all company business
Ability to work hours as required by the business
To represent Seasalt Limited and promote its brand image through all activities
6. Person specification for this post
ASSESSMENT
CRITERA
QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
English and Maths GCSE Grade C
or above
DESIRABLE SKILLS
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WORK RELATED
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS
Experience of working in
Merchandising, running and
trading own department and
managing own team
Problem solving – overcome
issues, propose solutions, make
commercial decisions
Strong commercial aptitude
Motivates team and manages
individuals to achieve results
Highly Analytical and commercially
aware with a strong understanding
of competitors
Perform under pressure and
operate in a fast past environment.
Strong planning and strategy
development skills
Advanced IT skills
Data analysis and reporting
PERSONAL SKILLS/
QUALITIES
SPECIAL WORKING
CONDITIONS
Effective communication at all
levels and able to influence others
Self motivated
Good organisational skills and
ability to work to deadlines
Able to work additional hours as
required by the business
Experience of a lifestyle or
fashion retailer, across
different product areas
Experience of working with
a wholesale channel
Negotiating skills