Merchandiser

About our culture

The Works is such a welcoming place to… well… work! Our atmosphere is supportive, friendly and inclusive. A second home-from-home where you can be your best and authentic you.

We’ve built an environment that’s busy, always moving, and full of energy. Yet we still make space to share must-watch TV recommendations and our favourite page-turners!

We’re a proactive and hardworking bunch who are dedicated to inspiring and empowering our customers to read, learn, create and play. It’s the perfect place for people who know how to roll their sleeves up, get creative, and put their passion and imagination to work… we’re people who ‘do’!

If you’re the kind of person who is as ’crafty’, ‘caring’ and ‘can-do’ as we are, then this is the kind of culture for you.

About the role

We’re looking for a Merchandiser to join our Merchandising team here at The Works! You’ll sit within our Supply Chain function and play a key part in a new team structure.

Overview of Merchandising

Not to be confused with Visual Merchandising, we are the backbone and engine room of Merchandising – spotting trends, diving into the analytics and data to ensure the right stock is in the right place at the right time. Working cross-functionally with our retail stores, web, buying, finance and distribution teams, here you will get a well-rounded experience and insight into all departments to get amazing exposure across the business.

We’re future proofing our structure so that we’re able to play with the big boys in the retail space. We’ll be thoughtful, well-planned, strategic and use proper analytics to make sure we’re spotting and ahead of the trends. You’ll be working across all the strategic elements, right through to getting the product on the floor and onto our e-commerce channel. It’s not just products or numbers though, it about the products and how they inspire our customers to read, learn, create or play!

You can put your stamp on the department with the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail – so long as we learn and develop along the way. Everything is up for grabs to help develop a new function in the size of this opportunity. With the proper structure, loads of development, career progression ladders and autonomy in the role… you genuinely can make a difference!

Key responsibilities

• Oversee timely delivery of stock into the warehouse, to maximise availability in line with agreed KPI's and timelines for all channels.
• Ensure on-time delivery through supporting the achievement of merchandising milestones within the critical path, ensuring any issues are resolved or raised where appropriate, and negotiating confidently with suppliers accordingly.
• Work within stock budgets to ensure stock is maintained throughout the year at the correct levels, particularly through peak periods including new product range launches, Christmas, promotion periods.
• Accountable for order management in line with agreed parameters and critical path.
• Own and manage category/range & SKU level forecasts to ensure sales, stock holding, margin and availability is optimised.
• Able to maintain and update the WSSI and line card management and will have had exposure to OTB and budget management
• Plan and present product ranges alongside Buyer (with support of Senior merchandiser), with considerations of budget, space, ranking, buy quantities and intake phasing.
• Review attribute analysis to support range reviews and promotional analysis providing clear recommendations.
• Review weekly trading performance to identify issues and opportunities, providing clear actions to maximise profitability.
• Deliver the sales in line with budget and agreed strategy.
• Coach and develop of direct reports to potentialise performance

The sought-after experience we’re seeking

• Strong numerical skills and ability to analyse and interpret data with recommendations
• Experience of working in a fast-paced trading environment
• Currently a Merchandiser, or an Junior Merchandiser looking for your next challenge, able to demonstrate experience of forecasting and updating a WSSI.
• Evidence of developing and training in your current role
• Demonstrate commercial and financial awareness

Finally, the bit about The Works

We are working towards our ambition of becoming one of the most loved retailers in the UK and the go-to place for reading, learning, creativity and play. We believe in the importance of fun and fulfilment and taking time out to do the things you love.

With 525 stores nationwide and a strong multi-channel proposition, our mission is to offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience, built on core principles of value, variety and quality.

We’re super proud to be certified as two star ‘Outstanding to work for’ via Best Companies for three years running and a Sunday Times 2020 Top 25 Best Big Companies to work for.

What we will give to you!

• 25% off colleague discount in-store and online (Often increased to 50% off for seasonal offers!)
• 33 days holiday (Inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Holiday Purchase scheme to increase your annual leave entitlement by 5 extra days per year
• Access to our MyWorks reward platform which has thousands of exclusive online discounts across hundreds of well-known retailers, utilities, holidays and much more!
• Hybrid working – This varies by department, but typically we’re working to 1 or 2 days per week in the office
• Save As You Earn (SAYE) scheme. Become a shareholder and buy your own piece of The Works by buying shares at an exclusive discounted rate direct-from-salary
• Company pension contribution
• Can-Do Academy – Instant access to training and development programmes when it suits you
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Health, Wellbeing and Financial support through the Retail Trust and our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Because you matter!
• Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Free Car Parking when on-site at our Support Centre
• Optional Charity Giving schemes – Pennies from Heaven and Give as you Earn

About our culture

The Works is such a welcoming place to… well… work! Our atmosphere is supportive, friendly and inclusive. A second home-from-home where you can be your best and authentic you.

We’ve built an environment that’s busy, always moving, and full of energy. Yet we still make space to share must-watch TV recommendations and our favourite page-turners!

We’re a proactive and hardworking bunch who are dedicated to inspiring and empowering our customers to read, learn, create and play. It’s the perfect place for people who know how to roll their sleeves up, get creative, and put their passion and imagination to work… we’re people who ‘do’!

If you’re the kind of person who is as ’crafty’, ‘caring’ and ‘can-do’ as we are, then this is the kind of culture for you.

About the role

We’re looking for a Merchandiser to join our Merchandising team here at The Works! You’ll sit within our Supply Chain function and play a key part in a new team structure.

Overview of Merchandising

Not to be confused with Visual Merchandising, we are the backbone and engine room of Merchandising – spotting trends, diving into the analytics and data to ensure the right stock is in the right place at the right time. Working cross-functionally with our retail stores, web, buying, finance and distribution teams, here you will get a well-rounded experience and insight into all departments to get amazing exposure across the business.

We’re future proofing our structure so that we’re able to play with the big boys in the retail space. We’ll be thoughtful, well-planned, strategic and use proper analytics to make sure we’re spotting and ahead of the trends. You’ll be working across all the strategic elements, right through to getting the product on the floor and onto our e-commerce channel. It’s not just products or numbers though, it about the products and how they inspire our customers to read, learn, create or play!

You can put your stamp on the department with the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail – so long as we learn and develop along the way. Everything is up for grabs to help develop a new function in the size of this opportunity. With the proper structure, loads of development, career progression ladders and autonomy in the role… you genuinely can make a difference!

Key responsibilities

• Oversee timely delivery of stock into the warehouse, to maximise availability in line with agreed KPI's and timelines for all channels.
• Ensure on-time delivery through supporting the achievement of merchandising milestones within the critical path, ensuring any issues are resolved or raised where appropriate, and negotiating confidently with suppliers accordingly.
• Work within stock budgets to ensure stock is maintained throughout the year at the correct levels, particularly through peak periods including new product range launches, Christmas, promotion periods.
• Accountable for order management in line with agreed parameters and critical path.
• Own and manage category/range & SKU level forecasts to ensure sales, stock holding, margin and availability is optimised.
• Able to maintain and update the WSSI and line card management and will have had exposure to OTB and budget management
• Plan and present product ranges alongside Buyer (with support of Senior merchandiser), with considerations of budget, space, ranking, buy quantities and intake phasing.
• Review attribute analysis to support range reviews and promotional analysis providing clear recommendations.
• Review weekly trading performance to identify issues and opportunities, providing clear actions to maximise profitability.
• Deliver the sales in line with budget and agreed strategy.
• Coach and develop of direct reports to potentialise performance

The sought-after experience we’re seeking

• Strong numerical skills and ability to analyse and interpret data with recommendations
• Experience of working in a fast-paced trading environment
• Currently a Merchandiser, or an Junior Merchandiser looking for your next challenge, able to demonstrate experience of forecasting and updating a WSSI.
• Evidence of developing and training in your current role
• Demonstrate commercial and financial awareness

Finally, the bit about The Works

We are working towards our ambition of becoming one of the most loved retailers in the UK and the go-to place for reading, learning, creativity and play. We believe in the importance of fun and fulfilment and taking time out to do the things you love.

With 525 stores nationwide and a strong multi-channel proposition, our mission is to offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience, built on core principles of value, variety and quality.

We’re super proud to be certified as two star ‘Outstanding to work for’ via Best Companies for three years running and a Sunday Times 2020 Top 25 Best Big Companies to work for.

What we will give to you!

• 25% off colleague discount in-store and online (Often increased to 50% off for seasonal offers!)
• 33 days holiday (Inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Holiday Purchase scheme to increase your annual leave entitlement by 5 extra days per year
• Access to our MyWorks reward platform which has thousands of exclusive online discounts across hundreds of well-known retailers, utilities, holidays and much more!
• Hybrid working – This varies by department, but typically we’re working to 1 or 2 days per week in the office
• Save As You Earn (SAYE) scheme. Become a shareholder and buy your own piece of The Works by buying shares at an exclusive discounted rate direct-from-salary
• Company pension contribution
• Can-Do Academy – Instant access to training and development programmes when it suits you
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Health, Wellbeing and Financial support through the Retail Trust and our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Because you matter!
• Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Free Car Parking when on-site at our Support Centre
• Optional Charity Giving schemes – Pennies from Heaven and Give as you Earn