To stay close to customers, we expect our support teams to come into the office three days a week. We think that learning comes from working alongside each other, and that spending time with our teams makes us more creative and connected. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues.  

What you'll do

Your key accountabilities will include

• Supporting the Merchandiser in agreeing the strategy and targets for creating and achieving pre and in season Range sales and stock forecasts by channel in addition to Markdown and availability
• Analysis of sales identifying winners and losers and taking appropriate actions working in collaboration with stakeholders to react to trade and maximise sales opportunity for the Department
• Assisting the Merchandiser and Buying team to formulate a detailed plan on the products to be offered each quarter across all channels inc International
• Booking quantities of products to meet launch and respond to in season variables for all channels in the UK and International
• Assisting Department Plan review and lessons learned
• Managing departmental documentation relating to all sale periods including markdown plans
• Maintaining accurate listings in Range Planner
• Working with Sourcing Offices to manage critical path from buy to delivery for each stroke including global capacity management and the agreement and monitoring of global production plans with suppliers
• Providing information to Space Planning & Development team to allow them to generate layout plans to stores
• Maintaining awareness of competitions product offer to provide input into price point strategy and catalogue by shape of chain
• Maintaining communication links to retail, channels, allocation, suppliers, sourcing offices and international
• Implementing and exploiting new systems and processes
• Assist the International team to maximise M&S departmental sales during International Buying events

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Already working at Senior MAA or Assistant Merchandiser for a fast-paced retailer 
• Core Merchandising skills including managing GSM, development of Department Plan, stock / commitment management, creating sales estimates, and production plans
• Knowledge of the end to end buy to store process
• Controlling unplanned in-season costs
• Negotiation skills (managing in season unplanned costs)
• Knowledge of M&S brand and sub-brand strategy
• Able to fully utilise the relevant IT support systems and to be fully conversant with standard business desktop applications
• Strong numerical, analytical and interpretive skills
• Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Design, Buying and Technology
• Strong interpersonal/ communication skills

Everyones welcome

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. Thats why were revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Theres never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.