About: The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. These first weather resistant items quickly established Barbour’s reputation for innovation and quality. Today, Barbour remains a fifth generation family business. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. Barbour International, the collection for men and women inspired by Barbour’s motorcycle heritage established in 1936, is now a separate standalone brand with its own identity.
Barbour has an exciting opportunity for a Merchandising Assistant to join the Head Office's DTC Merchandising team here in South Shields.
The Merchandising Assistant will provide support to the Merchandising Manager, largely using data and analysis, to ensure that the Retail and Ecommerce business is managed to have the right stock in the right places at the right time to meet the consumer demand. This has to be done whilst ensuring replenishment, visual merchandising and any DTC offers are managed in line with business targets and guidelines.
The role is based at Head Office in South Shields, and the expectation is 4 days in the office and 1 day of home-working*.
Merchandising Assistant Responsibilities:
Planning and executing seasonal planning of what product ranges DTC will stock, in order to help maximise sales.
Plan seasonal (6 drop strategy) ranges in line with company objectives and business commercial calendar.
Help ensure all stock is forecast and managed accurately so that stock is cleared during the intended season.
Maintain and manage the Barbour order book for DTC. This involves using the business ERP system to input, adjust and manage stock orders to ensure correct deliveries and delivery dates are uploaded.
Help maintain and agree the annual clearance calendar. This may involve using data to predict discontinued and unsold stock and forecasting the impact for clearance stores.
Manage the clearance stores of discontinued stocks and samples in-line with agreed plan.
Manage the forward order program (Future season) for retail stores in timely manner in-line with forecasting timetable.
Maintain safety stock levels in order to maximise sales.
Maintain logistical delivery schedule. This involves liaison with Barbour warehousing teams to ensure actual deliveries take place and are managed as planned.
Work closely with Retail Operations management and Ecommerce management to help create working hard together environment.
Role will be cross functional across both Retail and Ecommerce.
Business DTC reporting and analysis to be completed on a weekly, monthly and seasonal basis.
What Barour is looking for:
Highly competent with both Word and Excel, including full use of Pivot tables, V lookups, complex formulae, etc.
A strong analytical approach, able to interrogate data in order to help make informed business decisions.
High level of attention to detail – the role requires complete accuracy in key areas.
Able to be self-starting and manage own workload as well as have good teamwork skills.
Excellent written and verbal (telephone) communication skills – the role will involve extensive communication with retail store managers and different areas of the business.
Strong organisational and time management ability.
Willing to go the extra mile and demonstrate commitment to the role/company.
Genuine interest in Retail Merchandising and demonstrates a willingness to learn more.
Comfortable working within a pressurised environment to achieve key deadlines.
A degree or qualification in Business and Management is a plus
An interest and understanding of the Barbour brand and an appreciation for clothing of branded, casual/lifestyle ranges is a plus.
Barbour Benefits:
Discretionary Company bonus scheme
Staff discount
Staff shop
25 days holiday as standard, increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata)
Free onsite parking
Subsidised canteen
Healthcare Cash Plan
Access to training and development activities to support your career development
