About Company
Next plc is a well-established and highly respected British retailer, a true cornerstone of the UK high street and a thriving online presence. With a rich history spanning decades, Next is renowned for its stylish, quality clothing, homeware, and accessories, catering to a diverse customer base. We are a dynamic and forward-thinking company, constantly evolving our collections and retail strategies to meet contemporary demands. At Next, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to retail, our commitment to customer satisfaction, and fostering a collaborative environment where talent can flourish. Joining Next means becoming part of a leading brand dedicated to excellence and continuous growth in the competitive retail landscape. Our success is built on a foundation of strong commercial acumen, creativity, and a relentless focus on our customers.
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Job Description
As a Retail Merchandising Strategist at Next plc, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of our product categories. This is a critical position for an analytical and commercially astute individual who thrives on optimising product performance and enhancing the customer shopping experience. You will be responsible for developing and implementing sophisticated merchandising strategies that align with Next’s overall business objectives, drive sales growth, and maximise profitability. Your work will involve deep dives into sales data, market trends, competitor analysis, and customer insights to identify opportunities and mitigate risks across various product lifecycles. You will be instrumental in forecasting demand, managing inventory levels, influencing promotional activities, and ensuring optimal product placement both in-store and online.
This role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies that resonate with our brand identity and customer base. You will collaborate closely with buying, design, marketing, and operations teams to ensure a cohesive and impactful merchandising approach. Your strategic input will directly influence assortment planning, stock allocation, and promotional effectiveness, contributing significantly to Next’s continued market leadership and strong financial performance. We are looking for someone who can not only analyse what has happened but also foresee future trends and proactively build strategies to capitalise on them, ensuring our customers always find what they are looking for.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive merchandising strategies for assigned product categories to achieve sales, margin, and inventory targets.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of sales performance, stock levels, market trends, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and inform strategic decisions.
- Collaborate with buying teams to influence product assortment planning, ensuring alignment with customer demand, brand vision, and commercial objectives.
- Manage inventory flow, open-to-buy, and allocation strategies to optimise stock efficiency, minimise terminal stock, and maximise sell-through.
- Forecast demand for products and categories, adjusting strategies based on real-time performance, market shifts, and seasonal influences.
- Work closely with marketing and visual merchandising teams to ensure effective product presentation, promotional activities, and consistent brand messaging.
- Present strategic insights and performance reports to senior management, recommending actionable plans for improvement and future growth initiatives.
- Identify and implement process improvements within the merchandising function to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall departmental effectiveness.
- Mentor and support junior merchandisers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the team.
Required Skills
- Proven experience in retail merchandising or a similar strategic commercial role, preferably within a large retail organisation.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
- Excellent commercial acumen and understanding of retail metrics (sales, margin, inventory turns, sell-through).
- Proficiency in advanced Excel and merchandising planning systems.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
- Proactive problem-solver with a meticulous attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field.
- Experience with advanced analytics tools and business intelligence platforms.
- Prior experience managing a team or mentoring junior colleagues.
- A solid understanding of e-commerce retail dynamics and omnichannel strategies.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and bonus scheme.
- Generous staff discount on Next products.
- Company pension scheme.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- On-site car parking.
- Access to a range of employee welfare and health services.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression within a leading retailer.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking the application link below. Please ensure your CV and cover letter highlight your relevant experience and strategic merchandising achievements. We look forward to reviewing your application.
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