Role Title: Junior Merchandiser
Department: Merchandising
Reports To: Merchandiser
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 6 months
Working Arrangements/Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours
Working Location: FatFace HQ, Havant
Who are we?
For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.
Our mission statement:
Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.
Our Product formula:
Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.
We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 best places to work 2025 and best places to work for women 2025.
Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.
Role Summary
To plan & manage department sales, stock and markdowns to maximise sales & margin across channels, and achieve terminal stock targets, under guidance from the line manager
Role Responsibilities
* Work with cross-functionally within the product team to produce department product strategy in line with overall company strategy, proposing the financial parameters and successfully implement.
* Create weekly phased plans by channel and category for sales, margin, stock and markdown, taking traded history and planned future events into consideration, to produce plan WSSI.
* Create a range plan at grade level which satisfies strategic channel, financial and space requirements.
* Work closely with the team to develop and select a balanced and commercial range which delivers the product strategy, and successfully sign off with Management.
* Plan seasonal pricing and promotional activity together with Buyer and in line with overall strategy, supported by financial evaluation.
* Together with the Buyer, input into & implement a supply chain strategy which sets out short-, medium- and long-term plans for supplier partnerships, development & improvement.
* Thorough weekly re-forecasting of the WSSI and trading proposals, ensure that in season activity maximises profitability whilst maintaining efficient controls of stock.
* Review, propose and cost markdown events and promotional activity, calculating the effect on margin and profit.
* Manage the availability of stock to ensure maximum profitiablity, launch dates are met and sale and stocks are potentialised in line with WSSI forecasts across trading channels.
* Direct the allocation, replenishment and branch merchandising function in order to potentialise stocks and store performance.
* Input into cross functional activity as required e.g. retail operations, visual merchandising, finance, logistics.
* Effectively manage and motivate merchandising team through development and appraisals, ensuring that they understand their contribution towards company goals.
* Align self to companies social and environmental mission and champion any actions that you can directly impact at all times’
Skills and Experience
* Business related Degree Proven track record in Merchandising at either Junior Merchandiser/ Merchandiser level.
* Previous experience in fashion an advantage.
* Team Management & task delegation skills
* Highly numerate and able to interpret data to determine decision making, work to budgets and financial plans.
* Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.
* Ability to present complex technical information to others in an understandable way.
* Strong presentation skills to all levels.
* Strong planning and organisation skills – able to change plans in line with business needs.
Role Competencies
* Thorough understanding of all merchandising principles and systems
* Understanding of critical path and product life cycle
* Comprehensive understanding of customer profile, and product range and competitors
* Use of CIMS, Excel & QA systems.
* Brand and commercial awareness.
Key Contacts and Relationships:
* D,B,M and Sourcing team members and line management
* Brand team
* Channels – retail, ecom, wholesale & partners
* Logistics
* Directors
Accountable for Resources:
* Brand Integrity – product in line with Brand identity
* Company integrity - relationship with externals
* Financial - ensure profitability of category within Stores and Direct channels, through product strategy, working to budget.
* Stock – maximising profitability and availability
FatFace Benefits:
Financial & Protection Benefits
* Sick pay allowances
* Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
* Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
* Dental insurance (colleague funded)
Discounts & Perks
* 60% off FatFace products
* 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
* O2 phone discount
* Discounted gym membership
* Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
* EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
* Perkbox – our online platform offering:
* Day-one access
* Exclusive brand discounts
* Wellbeing content
* Home workouts and more
Health & Wellbeing
* Specsavers eye care scheme
* Eye tests and contributions to glasses
* Free period products
* EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support
Learning & Development
* THRIVE – our learning management system:
* Day-one access
* 1,000s of learning resources
Time Off & Leave
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
* Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
* Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.
Additional Perks
* Refer a Friend scheme
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.