Here at Harding, we are currently recruiting for an Assistant Merchandiser to join the team within our Lifestyle category. We are looking for someone who is passionate about Merchandising and used to working within a fast paced retail environment ideally with own brand experience. It’s a great time to join our team, as a growing and scaling retailer with a twist, working and innovating together helps us realise our purpose to ‘make every cruise better’. About the role: Working across our Logo – non clothing team you will support to maximise commercial opportunities through the effective management of inventory, driving sales through improved availability, forecasting and maximising profit. Based in Avonmouth on a hybrid working basis – 2/3 days per week in the office Compensation – competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, 4 x life assurance, healthcare cash plan, 26 days annual leave What you will be doing: Trading: Support on providing a weekly summary of performance within your department of responsibility, relating to sales, stock, profit, and markdown versus budget and last year Key contact for all ad-hoc analysis relating to departments of responsibility and the wider business Manage stock intake flow into the business to hit monthly forecasts, drive sales and minimise risks in line with the WSSI. Work with the MA’s to control inventory levels, allocations, and replenishment to ships as required Key contact for Ships and Operational colleagues on inventory availability queries Provide analysis and summary of markdown and promotional activity for departments of responsibility and wider business Responsible for ensuring that markdowns are on the system and that life cycle descriptions are kept up to date in line with these markdowns. Deputising when required on presenting the weekly trade performance for the designated category Interact with other teams to improve performance and drive best practices Conduct detailed ad-hoc analysis when required on specific locations, brands, and products/product groups Planning and Forecasting: Provide historical analysis to develop forward forecasts for departments of responsibility Supporting the buying function in building and optimising selected seasonal ranges Any other ad hoc duties as reasonably requested Manage the long-term forecasts with Far East vendors on the departments of responsibility and liaise with the MA on the set up of required purchase orders End to end management of selected seasonal ranges ensuring timely replenishment, correct pricing, lifecycle management and exit strategy Management of the department linecards for ‘never out of stock’ SKU Assisting the MA with the management of sales forecasts in the replenishment system during busy periods, particularly when new ranges are launched on board About you: Advanced planning and analytical skills Strong judgement and decision-making skills Confidence in suggesting calculated risks Strong customer demographic awareness Professional and well spoken, with excellent communication skills Must be organised, methodical and efficient with excellent time keeping skills & the ability to meet stringent deadlines A desire to learn and develop skills further within the merchandising function Must have an existing right of eligibility to work in the UK Key Attributes – trust, collaboration, respect, passion, drive, resilience About us: Harding is the only 100% dedicated cruise retailer, proudly partnering with 12 cruise line operators globally, across more than 80 cruise ships either in operation or under contract. Our mission is simple: make every cruise better. We operate over 300 retail shops across 80 ships, covering 17,000m² of retail space and handling 6.6 million transactions annually. Our team includes over 1,300 onboard team members and more than 270 landside employees, we stay at the forefront of retailing and consistently provide outstanding customer service, culminating in winning the Cruise Retailer of the Year award for 2022 and 2023. Harding is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify, and build. Protecting your privacy and the security of your data is a longstanding top priority for Harding. li-hybrid