Merchandiser Hertfordshire
Job description
Job Details
Location
Hertfordshire
Contract Type
Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date
20/08/2023
As we continue our mission to make people happy through chocolate, we’re looking for a Merchandiser to join our Trading team on a permanent basis.
You will utilise your skillset to optimise category sales and margin, as well as minimising omni-channel stock risk by monitoring and reacting to trading patterns. You will ensure that intake is aligned to sales expectations, and continuously identify and account for future key trends and trade influencers.
Attention to detail is key as you will need to adopt an end-to-end approach, generating daily reports and analysis which will then influence your strategic decision making and drive forward process improvements.
This is a great opportunity to work within a virtually integrated supply chain in a truly vibrant and analytical environment, for a brand with great ambitions.
As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you’ll receive 50% discount on all products, and a 70% discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.
Here at Hotel Chocolat, we've adopted hybrid working. This means you’ll join us on site for three days a week, and for the other two days – you can work from wherever you like! The on-site location for this role is our support office, ‘Mint House’, in Royston, Hertfordshire. Our home from the very beginning, it’s just off the A505 and 10 minutes’ walk from Royston train station, with direct rail links to London King’s Cross.
What you’ll be doing….
- Forecast SKU and category sales, combining current performance, seasonal and market trends, and accounting for marketing and promotional demand.
- Manage the stock and sales at category level for the current trading conditions and season.
- Report weekly and monthly category trade, providing accurate information to relevant stakeholders, aiding trading decisions and proposing actions where relevant.
- Identify category risks and opportunities; recommending activity to increase sales and profit and decrease stock risk.
- Report against stock turn and BBE risk, proposing actions as needed to minimise impact.
- Plan and review markdowns and promotional activity to maximise profits while achieving terminal stock targets.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to manage launch of new products, limited edition lines and season campaigns, escalate and endeavour to resolve any issues and communicate progress.
- Appraise performance of category new products, limited-edition line and seasonal campaigns; proposing action to optimise trade and highlighting lessons for the future.
- Work collaboratively and drive process and reporting improvement with trading, marketing, digital, manufacturing, procurement, finance and fulfilment teams.
Who you are…
Essential
- Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in stock management/forecasting function.
- Intermediate/advanced in all Microsoft applications.
- Strong analytical skills, able to summarise complex data and present it in a concise and clear manner.
- Experience effectively prioritising and executing tasks in a high-pressure environment.
Desirable
- Experience managing omni-channel stock.
- Able to lead, manage and develop team-members.
- Experience managing end to end category process.
Who are we?
We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.
A cacao pod takes years to grow – it can’t be rushed if it’s going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.
Now, we’re market leaders in the industry. What began as an online-only business grew to over 100 stores across the UK, and we’re still growing… Today, we’re multi-category, multi-channel, and multi-territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.
To learn more about us and read about our People Pledge – our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion – click here: hotelchocolat.com/uk/engaged-ethics/our-people.html
