Merchandising Planning Manager

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Merchandising Planning Manager to join the UKs largest specialist wine retailer!Do you have proven experience of working as Merchandising Planning Manager in a Retail environmentDo you have a flair for spotting opportunities whilst managing risk to stock, sales and profitIf you have answered yes to these questions, Majestic Wine would be delighted to hear from you!The RoleOur Merchandising team is responsible for planning and ensuring the delivery of great merchandising across Majestic Wine. As a Merchandising Planning Manager you will drive trade, manage promotional stance vs margin, and flag to the board any risks to stockor sales coming up.Key Responsibilities:

• Accurate forecasting using historical data analysis and by understanding current performance and market conditions.
• Building customer/ market insight led ranges for my department with buying colleagues
• Ensuring the ranging process (incl. range changes) for my department adheres to the critical path, meets customer needs.
• Contributing to the post launch review process
• Delivering my part in the category trade and events plan (and associated sales, markdown, stock and margin targets), adapting the plan in response to market changes
• Provide regular feedback to senior management on purchasing performance across all areas of the business and implement initiatives to improve purchasing efficiencies.
• To improve margins and speed to market
• Managing Open to Buy (OTB), options and stock plans for my department whilst supporting operational efficiency
• Working with buying/ suppliers to confirm department capacity requirements and order management critical path
• Collaborating with suppliers to review production plans (ensuring in place pre season), resolving issues as they arise
• Managing my departments Weekly Sales Stock Intake (WSSI) incl. availability and stock levels, identifying and handling gaps between forecasts and trading actuals
• Creating exit plans to clear stock (incl. markdowns) in line with CAYG guidelines whilst optimising profitability
• Forecasting and managing my budgets effectively, always being cost conscious.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Proven experience of working as Merchandising Planning Manager in a Retail environment
• Must have previous E-commerce/Stores trading experience
• Able to present confidently to all levels within the business
• Strong Excel & Powerpoint skillset
• Data analysis and numeracy
• Can display sound commercial judgement and experience in making profit related decisions
• Has a flair for spotting opportunities whilst managing risk to stock, sales and profit
• Ability to manage heavy workload and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be flexible, enthusiastic, confident and proactive
• Experienced in multi-channel retailing.
• Positive and motivated team member.
• Enjoy working in a small/medium sized company
• Proven experience working in the retail industry

Who are weMajestic Wine is the UKs leading specialist wine retailer. Majestic was founded in 1980 and, alongside its Commercial and French divisions, had a turnover of over £300m last financial year. Alongside strong growth in multi-channel sales, Majestic believethere is still a key role of a retailer that is loved by customers and loved by suppliers. We pride ourselves on our enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly people, who, working as part of a close-knit team deliver exceptional customer service in a vibrantand fast-paced retail environment. More information can be found atIn August 2019 Majestic announced it will be continuing its story under new private ownership and was purchased by US investment firm - Fortress. The sale included the Majestic brand, stores, website, Commercial and French division. Fortress are now backingthe vision for the future of Majestic and they see a lot of headroom for growth. The investment group pointed to Majestics strong cross channel journey, expert staff and widespread brand affection when deciding to buy the business from its PLC status.Benefits:

• A competitive salary
• Performance related bonus
• Up to 20% Staff Discount
• 25Days Holiday per year and we also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Life assurance 3x your salary
• Contributory pension
• Free parking on site
• An unparalleled fun company culture thats focused on empowering and developing our employees

Job Specifics:

• Contract Type:Permanent
• Location:Our Head Office is based inWatford, just 20 minutes from London Euston. From Watford Junction, we are a 15-minute walk to our Head Office

We are proud to offer a new Agile Working Policy for Support Centre colleagues; a blend of office and home working which will include a number of days working at the Majestic Office(post CV19 lockdown restrictions)We look forward to receiving your application! #ProudtobeMajesticNo Agencies Please - We thank you for your interest in working with Majestic Wine, however, we have a PSL who will be supporting us if needed. We will not pay fees or acknowledge any CVs supplied to Majestic Wine unless you have been briefedon the role by a member of our Talent Team.