Merchandiser

The Company

Poundstretcher is one of the UK’s leading discount retailers with a network of over 300 stores.

Primary Objective

• Optimise the profitability of a designated product area.
• Developing a commercial liaison across all interfaces with the Merchandising function within the business

Principal Accountabilities

Budget preparation

• Prepare seasonal buying plans through thorough analysis of historical data and understanding of future trends / activities.
• Set and agree core KPI’s with the Buyer in terms of sales, stock intake phasing, margin, stockturn, markdown and terminal stock etc.

Range planning

• Translate agreed KPI’s (as above) into a range framework in conjunction with the Buyer
• Working with the Buyer to develop commercial ranges within this framework
• Establish initial stock intake plans and stock covers within this framework

Selection / sign off

• Ensure final ranges as selected meets the targets outlined as above
• Jointly with the Buyer to deliver range within the critical path

Intake

• Plan and control the initial product intake phasing
• Plan and control mailer / event availability

Stock control

• Ensure product delivery is in line with the stock distribution strategy (e.g. sufficient outer cartons to meet allocation requirements)
• Facilitate stock delivery to plan through close liaison with Allocation / DC / Stores.

Trading / In season monitoring

• Maximise opportunities & minimise risks of the performance of the area by monitoring actual performance versus plan and taking remedial action as necessary.
• Intake, despatch, DC & Store stock levels
• Accurate forecasting of markdown spend
• Terminal stock forecasts
• Completion and maintenance of corporate core data / forecasting and statistical tools

Analysis / Data

• Maintain comprehensive data records for immediate and future analysis

Commercial Acumen

• Maintain a full and working knowledge of the product, supply chain, competitors and wider retail market to maximise the performance of the product area.

Liaison

• Close working relationship with Buying / QA teams.
• Regular contact with Allocation team /  Distribution Centre.
• Regular store visits and liaison with all store focussed departments
• Develop close working relationships with all product related departments to encourage co-operation and achievement of the KPI’s.

Personal Attributes

• Commercial awareness (ideally of Poundstretcher’s product and customer profile)
• Self motivated and can cope with multiple tasks retaining high level of accuracy
• Able to find and extract data and develop a full understanding and awareness of business systems relative to fulfilling the role
• Good communication and interpersonal skill with ability to display self confidence and initiative
• Demonstrates effective team working skills
• Good numerical and analytical ability