Job Description

Bensons for Beds is looking for a new Merchandising Planning Manager to join our team based in Accrington.



You will support and develop the merchandising team to ensure that commercial product ranges are developed and purchased in order to maximise sales and profitability. To ensure the flow of products and supply line to stores and online through using marketplace data and consumer insights to determine product ranges for market.

Who do we want?

Strong organisational and leadership skills Experience of working in a similar role in Merchandising Previous experience of managing margins Experience in forecasting and budgeting Experience of formulating and delivering a detailed plan for taking products from purchase to shop floor Previous stock management experience Strong numerical and analytical skills Excellent influencing skills Commercial awareness of the retail trade Experienced in using Google Analytics to analysis with ability to generate actionable insight.

So, what will you do?

Prepare and create standard reporting suites and ad hoc analysis on sales drivers and margin impacts to support trading decisions Lead the merchandisers to build annual budget and re-forecasts at category level for sales, margin and volume ensuring they remain in line with company level targets Manage a team of merchandisers to plan new product ranges, range exits and promotional lines. Prepare and present product range plans, ensuring they are on brand and within operational and financial parameters. Ensure that supplier rebates are tracked and logged correctly and passed on to the finance team Understand changes in the market and be creative and innovative in bringing new product features into the business. Assess and evaluate suppliers agreeing key SLA's. Monitor product and range performance against sales, margin, stock and availability targets making recommendations and generating analysis to support buying decisions. Ensure that range forecasting in accordance with agreed parameters. Work collaboratively with the Buying team developing commercial ranges, establishing stock intake plans and setting core KPI's. Lead a team of merchandisers to maintain effective control of DC and store stock levels, providing accurate forecasting of markdown spend and end of line stock forecasts. Ensure the team identify and action markdown and clearance requirements to ensure clear down of end of range lines. Create and effectively manage the price book, related systems and documentation for all trading events Work with the supply chain team on product and range forecasts to ensure on time delivery from supply base and stock range plans are kept within targeted levels. Oversee timely delivery of stock to stores to meet launch and promotional timelines Highlight required actions to meet future sales estimates to the supply chain team. Work with the marketing manager to ensure that marketing messages have customer appeal and reflect the strength of the promotional offer Liaise with the Marketing department to ensure that all point of sale, price tickets and promotional material is correct and supports the merchandise strategy.

What will you get?

Along with a competitive salary, we host a catalogue of benefits! These include:

+ Employee discount scheme for Bensons products + Medicash - cashback options for Health and Wellbeing services (dental, optical, virtual GP, other healthcare services and more)
Unum Income Protection - for peace of mind if you're off work long term due to illness + Pension scheme - provided by Legal & General + Discounted Gym membership
+ Cycle to Work scheme
Annual leave buy & sell scheme - you can top up your holiday entitlement or sell unused days to suit you + Enhanced maternity and adoption leave Access to Retail Trust services (guidance and support on retail issues, mental health, wellbeing & financial topics) Learning and development programmes to gain new knowledge and skills * Career progression - access to internal opportunities to build your career within Bensons for Beds