Assistant Merchandiser

Triple Wimbledon champion Fred Perry founded his brand in 1952. He was the son of a cotton spinner, who played and fought his way through, always with style – and despite the establishment. Today, Fred Perry is a global community of over 370 employees, all inspired by the Laurel Wreath and what it represents

PURPOSE:

This role ensures that all stores that operate across the group of Brands that we retail (Full Price, Off Price and Ecom) have the correct stock package and stock levels are being maintained to achieve their sales plan.

Supports the merchandiser to plan the buy for both Full Price and Outlet channels through analysis and range building for the areas of responsibilities. This will include managing terminal stock to ensure any additional SMU buys are proposed, and clearance partners are explored.

Support the merchandiser to manage the intake of stock into the retail business.

Managing, training and coaching the MAA

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

TRADE

• Produce weekly trade reports with the Merchandising Admin Assistant. Identify best and worst selling lines, propose action to be taken and suggest key trade actions to Merchandiser. After Weekly Trade meeting, ensure MAA completes all required actions.

• Work with merchandiser to ensure that Retail stock levels reflect current performance and act when needed. Review store stock quantities to ensure stores are holding enough stock to support sales.

• Liaise on a regular basis with the production and logistics teams to understand delivery issues - discuss with the merchandiser what action to take, demonstrate a clear understanding on the impact on sales

• Work closely with the planning team to address wholesale shortfalls while minimising impact on retails/Ecommerce business.

• Work with merchandiser to plan permanent mark-down in line with company strategy. Hit product to the optimum depth at the right time. Ensure that all markdowns clear through to the required terminal stock while maximising profitably.

• Think Digital First - Work alongside the ecommerce, Buying and Visual Merchandising teams to maximise any Digital trading opportunity for the coming weeks. Help mirror the strategy onto our bricks and mortar locations.

• Deputise for Merchandiser as required in company trade meeting.

• Support the merchandiser to produce monthly and quarterly terminal stock reports, as well as any ad hoc reporting needed by the business.

• Plan and execute stock transfers when needed and any stock movement between locations

PLANNING

• Ensure that all analysis is prepared in a timely manner to help drive the forthcoming season strategy. Ensure that the analysis is communicated to all appropriate teams and departments.

• produce department plans for sales, markdown, profit and stock turns

• plan OTB phasing to maximise sales and minimise stock holding

• set up WSSI

• As required work with the Product and Buying Managers to range build for area of responsibility

• Support the merchandiser to produce a sign-off pack to sign off buy with the merchandise manager and commercial director

• Plan buy quantities for each line based on ROS use historical analysis to support this

• Ensure that size analysis is undertaken for the forthcoming season and decide on the quantities to be ordered by size.

• Ensure that the planning team receive required buy quantities for retail in the required time scales.

• Upload prices on for any upcoming season.

• Plan initial allocations to stores with MAA to support store sales

• Ensure that the Option Details is accurately maintained with quantities and price and an accurate reflection of the current spend.

BRANCH MERCHANDISING

• Communicate with stores and lead regular store phone calls alongside MAA and carry out regular store visits. Prepare reports to be presented to the Merchandising Manager, along with action plans to increase store trade if needed.

• Analyse individual store performance, seeking opportunities and actions to gain further potential sales.

• Understand each store profile, understanding sales trends and bestsellers for each store/region.

• Be the stores go to (along with MAA) for stock issues, upcoming events and delivery issues. Build good relationships with store managers and retail area managers.

• Build store option plans for each product category area based on store total stock holding, sales performance and store size.

TEAM

• Be an complete team player - work across departments to ensure company goals are achieved

• Perform annual appraisal, mid-year reviews and day to day coaching as required

• Actively engage in team discussions and meetings, to bring opinions forward

• Manage MAA’s workload and development

• Have regular catch ups with both direct reports (MAA) and line manager to discuss current performance and future progression

THE PERSON:

• Passion and Enthusiasm

• Numerate with strong analytical abilities

• Advanced Excel knowledge required

• Team leader capable of coaching and taking team members to the next level

• Build strong and cooperative relationships cross functionally across the business

• Highly organised with great attention to detail

• Proactive and a good time manager

• Excellent communication skills

• Commercial Awareness – Demonstrate a good understanding of what is happening in the retail market and the impact this may have on our business

• Minimum2 years’ work experience within a Merchandising role would be preferred

HOURS:

We actively encourage our teams to have a good work/life balance and so we are pleased to offer flexible working shifts at Fred Perry HQ. Our core shift hours are from 10am – 4.30pm and so employees can choose to start and finish early, or start and finish late. (i.e. work 8:00am-4:30pm, or 10:00am-6:30pm etc). We also have 30-minute early finish on Fridays.

As we continue to work in a more flexible way, the Head Office acts a brand hub, where we can all connect and collaborate with one another. This role is a mix of office based (London) and remote working. We will expect the employee to come into the office regularly for face-to-face meetings and to work alongside their team on collaborative projects.

BENEFITS:

We are proud to offer a wide range of benefits to all our staff, and continue to reassess what our community needs from us to thrive. We don’t want to be a good company to work for, we want to be a great one. Here are some things we currently offer:

• Annual performance-related bonus

• Competitive salary

• Generous staff discount and regular sample sales

• Generous pension scheme with 8.5% company contribution

• Option to buy an extra 5 days holiday annually

• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages

• Life insurance

• Private healthcare

• Cycle to work scheme

• Early finish Fridays

• Season ticket loan

• Additional benefits with long service

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

• Annual Birthday vouchers

• EAP

• Social Events

We actively welcome applications from people of all different backgrounds. Your CV will be submitted to hiring managers with all personal details hidden to ensure anonymity.