Senior Merchandiser

Location:Bath UK
Department:Buying
Manager:Head of Buying & Merchandising
Hours:37.5
Salary: circa £40-45k

Lovehoney is the largest online sex toy retailer in the UK - its also the most exciting! We are growing rapidly internationally as a retailer, manufacturer and distributor of sexual wellbeing products. With over 200,000 online reviews of our products we are being talked about! Do you want to be part of this amazing business which aims to deliver sexual happiness to millions of people.

We are looking for a Senior Merchandiser to join our Buying team. The purpose of the role is to plan and trade the Lovehoney range by developing effective merchandise and range plans, managing performance in season and by effective management of supply chain in order to drive profit in line with agreed financial parameters and the category strategy.

If you are 18 or above please email your CV tojobs@lovehoney.co.uk ensuring the following:

• Outline why you want to work for us
• Confirm you have the right to work in the UK and disclose if you have any criminal convictions

If you want to know more about the specifics then keep reading….

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Marketing, responsibilities are:

Profit Maximisation

• Assist in the preparation of budgets, sales and profit targets
• Monitor performance against plan, taking appropriate action to maximise sales and profit and reduce stock-holding whilst increasing stock turn
• Identify new business opportunities to grow sales and profitability
• Deliver cost effective supply solutions and achieve maximise sales revenue and profit whilst minimising stock risk and planned margin
• Review, propose and implement mark-down activity to reduce terminal stock whilst analysing action taken on markdowns to maximise profit
• Communicate trading issues and forecasts with proposed actions to the Head of Buying and Merchandising and the Buyers
• Pre-season planning
  • Use sales analysis to inform sales forecasts for the buying team
  • Accurate forecasting of markdown and terminal stock forecast. Minimise unplanned markdown
  • Manage pricing, setting prices with the buyer to maximise margin
• Manage in season trading
  • Maximise opportunities and minimise risks by monitoring performance against plan.
  • Manage and monitor price changes

Range Building and Planning

• Develop and agree plans in partnership with the Buyer that achieve sales and profit targets and implement the agreed departmental strategy
• In conjunction with the Head of Buying and Merchandising, agree a framework with the Director of Product within which a balanced, commercial and profitable range is built
• Evaluate market and customer information together with historical data and forward trends to develop the department’s phased plans
• Jointly present the range for review achieving senior management agreement
• Create a range plan with the buyer to maximise sales and profit
• Manage product trailing activity with the buyer
• Continuously monitor market activity, through regular competitor shopping, gathering market intelligence from a wide variety of sources in order to take appropriate commercial action
• Establish critical path for the delivery of all product ranges with the buyer
• Product lifecycle management ensuring stock is cleared effectively enabling the buying team to make new purchase commitments
• In conjunction with the Trading team agree the promotional and marketing plans, optimising sales and profit
• Preparation of seasonal buying plans through a combination of historical sales analysis and an understanding of future trends
• Set and agree KPI’s with the buyer - Sales, Margin, Markdown, Terminal Stock and Stock Phasing
• Work with the buyer to develop balanced and commercial ranges within this framework

Inventory/Commitment Management

• Accountable for the management and delivery of having the right stock, in the right place at the right time.
• Accountable for the quantification of 'Open to buy' with phased commitment to increase flexibility throughout the season
• Ensuring stock commitment is managed in line with department needs
• Forecast stock requirements with the Stock management team
• Maintain a comprehensive library of appropriate data

Supplier Management

• In conjunction with the Buyers and Stock management team build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers
• Manage Suppliers’ delivery performance and, in conjunction with the Buyer, take appropriate actions
• Contribute to future supplier strategies
• In conjunction with the Buying team negotiate and manage the recovery of supplier contribution

Team Management:

• In conjunction with Human Resources ensure the selection of high calibre individuals
• Ensure compliance with Human Resources Policies and Procedures
• Manage the performance of the team, setting objectives, giving regular feedback and addressing poor performance
• Provide training and development to staff, managing and coaching staff in core technical and managerial skills
• Ensure effective communication at all levels, to include communicating the Company and departments strategy in addition to operational priorities
• Encourage an environment of open communication within the team and the building of effective cross functional relationships
• Deputise for Director of Buying and Merchandising as required

Health & Safety

• Monitor and maintain compliance at all time with health and safety requirements

Other Duties

• Participate in projects or carry out any other duties that may be outside the standard remit that will benefit the company

Essential Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum of 3 years spent as a Merchandiser
• Experience of Merchandising private Label and Brands
• Experienced in Range Planning
• Experienced in forecasting & managing OTB
• Highly motivated, self-starter
• Online experience
• Commercial awareness
• WSSI management experience