The Merchandise Assistant (MA) plays a key role within the Merchandising function, providing vital support to the Merchandising team to achieve optimum efficiency and to deliver the department plan on customer, sales, and profit. 

The Merchandise Assistant assists the department with day-to-day tasks such as updating supplier order books, booking in stock, managing problem orders and actioning stock movements, ensuring the correct stock is in the right place at the right time to maximise profitability across all channels.

Responsibilities of the Merchandise Assistant

Order:

• Support with size ratio of lines on smaller brands, with AM guidance.
• Create purchase orders via upload and check all details are accurate prior to sending to supplier.
• Reconcile supplier order books and communicate all anomalies.

Stock:

• Update supplier order books and ETA reports on the system.
• Book in product as directed by the Merchandiser.
• Liaise and be first point of contact with the warehouse around delivery issues and problem orders.
• Cost and retail checks on orders booked into the warehouse in conjunction with the Assistant Merchandiser.
• Scheduling (initial allocation) checks

Trade:

• Print and run key reporting for Monday trade meetings.
• Develop awareness of product area through analysis of reports and store visits.
• Maximise best sellers through the review of ideal stock levels.
• Action stock movements, including IBTs, in conjunction with the Assistant Merchandiser.
• Collate and check weekly price amendments.
• Follow up on feedback from Retail and Branch Merchandising to support the stores.
• Review new store performance, suggesting actions to the team
• Complete marketing requests
• Ad hoc reports and analysis for the team as required.
• Establish collaborative working relationships within teams across functions.

Team Structure

Here at JD, the Merchandising team structure is organised into various departments. Each of the departments have a strong focus in certain areas, such as Apparel, Footwear and Accessories.

If you’re wondering about progression in within the team, there are many opportunities to grow in within the different areas and there is also training and development plans in place to support and mentor you in your personal and professional career.

What JD Group is looking for:

• Passionate about JD, its brands and customers.
• Some knowledge and understanding of Merchandising.
• Analytical and passionate about numbers.
• Systems-driven, proficient in Excel and other Microsoft Office software.
• Highly organised and strong attention to detail.
• A good communicator able to build relationships with stakeholders and to work across teams.
• Able to take ownership of your work and use your initiative to deliver…
• Good teamwork skills, being able to work collaboratively to reach a common goal, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
• Positive and flexible, responsive to business needs.
• Curious with a continuous learning mindset.