Assistant Merchandiser - Jewellery and Hair Accessories

We are looking for a Assistant Merchandiser (Jewellery & Hair Accessories) to join Team OB in our Support Office. As an Assistant Merchandiser at OB you will provide support and leading by example to the MAA's, you will be part of the dynamic Merchandising team. You will support and assist them in providing sales analysis and administrative support in addition to your accurate stock allocation and supply chain co-ordination. This role will support the Merchandiser by providing accurate data as well as assisting in planning and trading of the account to maximise sales, reducing markdown spend and increasing profitability. Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to having conversations about working flexibly. A bit about us … At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work. Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do. Our team knows their stuff. They're confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility. More about the role … An OB Assistant Merchandiser will:

• Set up year's WSSI, update and reforecast the WSSI on a weekly basis with input from the merchandiser
• Manage projections and repeat line buys through weekly trade meetings and propose ways to minimise risk for the department
• Make frequent suggestions for improved forecasting
• Work with the Merchandiser and Buying team to integrate lessons learnt from the previous season into new department strategies
• Assist in constructing the optimum range for the target market by balancing price architecture and category
• Create data packs and present in trade & sign off meetings
• Develop a knowledge of branch profiling and consider external factors when planning the range
• Plan intake to deliver new options as appropriate to keep newness flowing through the business considering space layout requirements.
• Assist in the planning of the overall intake/ stock levels to minimise stockholding but maximise sales opportunities
• Using the WSSI to inform trade and stock management decisions through weekly updates of stock levels, sales, intake and monthly reforecasts.
• Through weekly trade meeting with Buying Teams, identify best-sellers and look to trade where necessary
• Makes decisions regarding risks and opportunities on a daily basis and puts forward proposals for significant changes to Merchandiser
• Identify lines for markdown and mark-up activity as well as forecast markdown spend and evaluate profit implications of markdown activity
• Assist in planning promotions when necessary in order to manage stock cover
• Reviews and updates Store grading on a regular basis
• Help to set up new Stores ensuring the Store has the right stock package
• Produce accurate analytical reports for Store/SO teams on a weekly/monthly basis
• Monitors critical path dates and maintains an accurate delivery schedule liaising with the buying team, merchandiser and logistics team.
• Make suggestions on phasing of launch, grading & peak intake.
• Build strong supplier relationships & understands the implications of late deliveries and manages accordingly.
• Manage stock into the Warehouse and the distribution of stock to stores constantly reviewing best process practice and make suggestions for improvement to Merchandiser
• Responsible for the production of an OTB monitor as appropriate and management of stock levels and commitment at all times
  
  Previous Merchandising experience is essential
• Previous retail experience and genuine interest in the industry
• IT Literate with Intermediate / Advanced Microsoft Office skills - Word / Excel and Powerpoint
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Team player and have collaborative approach
• Motivated and able to work well to tight deadlines
• Initiative, decisiveness and effective problem-solving skills
• Proactive forward thinker
  
  At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work.
It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities. Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme. To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: https://www.oliverbonas.com/meet-the-team/diversity Oliver Bonas

Bonas Benefits:
• Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
• Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First - offering financial, emotional and vocational support
• Flexible holiday - 30 days (including bank holidays) - increasing to 35 days with length of service
• Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
• Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical
• Auto-enrolment into our pension plan
• Free access to our onsite gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Refer a Friend incentive
• Quarterly free lunch
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
• Mental Health First Aider support
• Education and support throughout Looop eLearning platform