Merchandiser

As a Merchandiser at the Anthony Nicholas Group, you play a critical role in the delivery of the product strategy for Fields and Fraser Hart. In partnership with the buying team, you will be responsible for building and delivering the department strategy through strong commercial, analytic, and influencing skills.

You will work in partnership with your buying team and lead a team, with an Assistant Merchandiser and a Merchandising Administrative Assistant to manage the execution of this strategy through ensuring the right product is in the right place at the right time to maximise sales and profitability performance.

You will need be an effective communicator and have the ability to influence key stakeholders. You will be responsible for planning the Diamond and Jewellery ranges that make our clients feel special every time. The ranges need to be commercially competitive and deliver on ANG's client proposition. You will need to understand our Fields and Fraser Hart clients and use data and analytics to tailor ranges which will deliver for the different clients in both markets.

As a Merchandiser, you will support the Group Planning Manager in continually seeking to identify new opportunities to enhance our client proposition, while supporting the departmental delivery of sales, stock, and contribution budgets.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Areas of Responsibility:

• Identify and manage any trading risks - respond to performance changes with innovative solutions and take risks when planning and trading both markets
• Analyse, interpret, and make decisions based on data, which deliver the best possible outcomes
• Use current data to identify future trading opportunities and markets, leading long-term opportunities for your department
• Influence the range building process through regular range review meetings with the buying team
• Work with the buying team to develop a financial framework which considers trends, historical trends, and financial targets

Forecasting and Trading:

• Work closely with the CFO, Group Planning Manager, and B&M Director to agree all financial targets.
• Manage tools and reporting to review information and ensure that all aspects of strategic planning are met (including WSSI's, Line Projections, Option Planning, and Budgeting)
• Responsible for managing stock targets in line with logistics/warehouse capacities
• Responsible for the delivery of the sales, stock turn, and profit targets
• Overall responsibility for WSSI review and sign-off with the Group Planning Manager. You will provide support to the Assistant Merchandiser with the WSSI review
• Overall responsibility for Line Projections - you will review line projections with your merchandising team and sign off on appropriate actions.
• Conduct regular trading reviews with the Buying teams to maximise sales and manage stock levels

Product Knowledge:

• Develop a deep, broad knowledge of the Fields and Fraser Hart Jewellery and Diamond product areas
• Consider factors such as past products and competitor analysis when building ranges
• Drive innovation and use insights to identify future trends and act on these quickly and be decisive in product selections
• Stay commercially aware and use your knowledge of client behaviour to continuously seek to offer outstanding products to our clients

Key Interactions and Engagement:

• As a Merchandiser, you will work closely with your peers across the buying and merchandising function
• You will be responsible for leading, developing, and motivating your merchandising team
• You will form relationships with key stakeholders in other business areas, including Retail, IT, Logistics, People, Marketing, and eCommerce

Leadership:

• As a senior leader at ANG, you are empowered to build, coach, and develop an engaging and high-performing team
• Support ANG's culture of an inclusive values led environment
• Demonstrate a passion for continuous development, by setting clear performance expectations. Share constructive feedback to motivate the team and recognise and celebrate successes
• Develop the team's capability by coaching and mentoring and encouraging the team to drive their own development.

Key Attributes / Experience Required

• 3–4 years of experience as a Merchandiser, including proven experience in a team leadership or people management role, or equivalent relevant experience
• Relevant qualification in retail, or commerce-related subject, or equivalent experience
• You will be a skilled influencer, effective at managing a network of stakeholders to reach effective commercial decisions
• Strong relationship builder with a proven record of managing stakeholders cross-functionally

Flexibility and Adaptability is required in this role as the responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and are subject to evolve and change depending on the needs of the business.