Urban Outfitters Senior Assistant Merchandiser - London, UK
Job description
URBAN OUTFITTERS - JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Senior Assistant Merchandiser
REPORTS TO: Senior Merchandiser
Urban Outfitters started out as a single boutique in 1970s Philadelphia with creativity and uniqueness at its core. 50 years on, and 55 stores across Europe later, we’ve become a destination for emerging design, unexpected styling, One-Of-A-Kind vintage and homeware that makes you want to hit the share button.
We speak to a social community of over 10 million forward-thinking individuals, bringing together a nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future. The UO community are culturally aware, they shape the music scene, they live a digitally native life and they wear style trends before anyone else. At our core, we empower our customers and staff to express themselves, unapologetically, living life in a way that's truly authentic to them.
We are always excited to bring new talent into the room, especially if you share our values:
Progressive — we move with the mood
Creative — we champion limitless minds
Inclusive — we open our platforms to all communities
Responsible — we work to reduce our impact on the environment
Compassionate — we care for each other beyond the 9 to 5
Sound like you, why not join us?
Role Summary
Our Merchandise teams work alongside Buying to plan, deliver and trade our product ranges. By reviewing previous seasons’ best-sellers, keeping an eye on new reactions and constantly reviewing our sales forecasts and promotions, it’s our Planning teams that make sure we trade our ranges as successfully as possible.
This role is suitable for an experienced Assistant Merchandiser who is highly commercial with a strong trading mentality. The role, while primarily supporting the Merchandise Planner across a range of categories, will also allow the right candidate the opportunity to take ownership for their own areas.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Support Merchandiser with Seasonal Plans and Re-forecasts for all categories driven from sales history and Brand Strategy
Support Merchandiser in managing OTB- continually identify risks/ opportunities to maintain flexible OTB
Oversee intake margin alongside Buying counterparts. Agree target margins with Senior Merchandiser and ensure these are met.
Ensure line cards are maintained on a weekly basis; propose rebuy dates and volumes required
Develop strong partnerships with buyers to understand their vision and direction, establish an understanding of customers and buying trends
Take accountability for in-season trading for assigned product areas – analyse trading patterns and identify opportunity for repeats, work with Buying to optimize speed to market.
Closely monitor intake on a weekly basis. Ensure intake targets are being met on all product areas and are in line with Brand targets. Highlight intake risk to Senior Management team
Manage Markdown and Promotional planning for product areas – seek opportunities to drive profitability
Work within a clear critical path to operate an effective/timely product sign off process, appropriate for product lead-time
Ensure effective distribution of stock to potentialise store and product performance
Display an in-depth, customer-focused knowledge of market and trends, as well as store performance
Ensure that the correct level of newness is present, and that correct mix of end use is phased in at the appropriate time
Collate Seasonal analysis and insight into Price, Colour, Size and other metrics
Support Merchandiser with developing and maintaining Regional pricing architectures
Work with key Suppliers to improve efficiencies in lead times, shipping costs and communication
Oversee MID (our allocation and replenishment system) and ensure all MAA’s are fully trained and knowledgeable on using the tool
Guide on IAQ levels and monitor store tiers in line with option frameworks
Partner with Retail and Digital planning to balance inventory effectively across Channels.
Manage the MAAs ensuring the accurate and timely execution of intake and allocation.
Be responsible for coaching and developing MAA
Identify training and development needs within the MAA community and feedback to Management
Build strong cross-functional relationships in order to align Commercial and Creative work streams
What You’ll Need:
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office – particularly Excel and Outlook.
Good understanding of Retail KPIs and how to influence them (sales, profit, markdown)
Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
Strong communication skills – both over email and face-to-face
Demonstrate logical analysis and positive problem solving skills
Ability to analyse, present and communicate information in a manner that allows informed decision-making
Ability to build and maintain productive partnerships and demonstrate strong listening, oral and written communication skills
Trading Mentality; ability to work at pace, challenge results and information to identify challenges, drive for results and track record of success.
Profit Focused; skilled at finding opportunities to achieve profit in any situation, trading mentality to support and develop product areas
Team Leadership; provides clear business goals for teams, supports and develops skills base
Develops skills of the team; identifies individual training needs as well as encourages effective teamwork
Impact & Influence; ability to present facts, opinions and proposals persuasively to colleagues, Senior Management Team and Planning Team
The Perks
Work-life balance:
-Flexible start and finish times
-Bring your dog to work
Wellbeing:
-Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health
-Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships
-Private Medical Insurance
Employee Discount:
-Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and more!)
Community:
-One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice
Travel:
-Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan
Continued Development:
-We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development