Merchandising Manager

My client is a grocer in Glastonbury with an exciting expansion plan for the Southwest. They offer a range of products in store: From chilled, ambient and frozen to a deli and artisan products.

The offer a local online delivery service and we have big plans for the future. They have an extremely local loyal customer base and want to delight them with healthy products and service in every single way.

The Merchandising Manager is a key leader in the business. A high level of autonomy can be earned.

40 hour week- pretty much Mon- Fri 8.30- 5.30 but flexibility will be needed

£25k-£30k

Role Summary

Experience in Merchandising, Forecasting, Range Planning, Trade Planning, Supply Chain Management. The Merchandising Manager ensures that the right range appears in the right store or website, at the right time and in the right quantities, based upon customer insights (when available) and data analysis. This involves accurately forecasting trends, planning best stock levels (to help ordering at operational level) and monitor performance to feedback into the process.

The Merchandising Manager plays a key role within retail, responsible for sales and profitability. You will help to set prices to maximise profits and manage the performance of ranges, planning promotions and markdowns as necessary. It is focused around driving Sales, and achieving targeted profit levels - by category and across the full range. Accuracy and attention to detail are vital.

Role Responsibilities:

Duties will include:

• planning product ranges and promotional plans and preparing sales and stock plans

• managing and overseeing the data on the store EPOS system ensuring pricing and profitability accuracy

• analysing appropriate data and any available insights - including full review reports on how range by category and promotions are performing

• in store merchandising guidance to operational team - giving advice on space, facings and position on fixture

• forecasting profits and sales, optimising the sales volume and profitability

• presenting potential new products with sales forecasts and figures

• analysing bestsellers and maximizing potential

• maintaining awareness of competitors

• monitoring slow sellers and proposing prices or promotions as necessary

• analysing the previous sales vs current

Skills Summary:

• a leader, strong communicator and good negotiator.

• strong analytical and numerical skills to work out budgets and understand sales figures with excellent Excel skills. Experience in managing a high sku count

• the ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment and to quickly identify problems and recommend solutions

• sound decision-making with the ability to plan and prioritise

• the capability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people

• strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand what will appeal to customers

• computer literacy

• creative flair and self-confidence

• Knowledge of the Health Food industry would be an advantage

Attitude

• Lead by example - I motivate the team by leading the way with bundles of energy and great leadership

• The status quo is never the best - I am always looking to make things simpler and better for my client and the team.

• We can do this - I share and communicate positively, delegating and completing tasks and creating job satisfaction for the whole team.

• Flexibility - I am available to be flexible in working hours, covering holiday and sickness if needed.

• I am adaptable and resilient.

Reports to: Managing Director

Key Business Contacts: Operations Director, all operational Managers, Data & Projects Manager, Purchasing & Sto