Overview
Join to apply for the Junior Merchandiser role at JD Sports Fashion.
Location: JD Group HQ (Bury, Greater Manchester)
Department: Merchandising • Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Role Summary: As a Junior Merchandiser at JD Outdoors, you will support the Merchandising team in delivering successful product ranges across outdoor categories. You will build on your experience as an Assistant Merchandiser, own key areas, manage stock effectively to maximise sales, minimise markdowns, and drive profitability. You will analyse sales and performance data, identify trading opportunities, and assist with range planning and forecasting. You will collaborate with Buyers, Supply Chain, Space Planning, and suppliers to manage the critical path, monitor stock flow, and ensure timely product delivery. This role requires strong analytical skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to make recommendations that enhance business performance. The position offers a pathway for career growth in a fast-paced retail environment.
Responsibilities
* Review Previous Seasons and produce SWOT analysis with supporting information.
* Create category level product mix using history, SWOT and SMT Plan.
* With Senior Merchandiser formulate the space and grading plan for store distribution.
* Ensure that the WSSI is updated with the buy plan and the KPIs are signed off with the Senior Merchandiser.
* Ensure that scheduling and Ideals are in place for your area of responsibility.
* Attend key selection meetings with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer.
* Build the Range plan.
* Build layout plans in conjunction with buying and VM.
* Overview the ratios for all buys in conjunction with Assistant Merchandiser.
* Ensure that the Buy matches the plan Buy.
* Establish working relationships with supplier base.
* Manage the order books both in season and preseason to ensure that the most accurate information is always in the system.
* Manage stock seasonality within the WSSI.
* Review weekly trading performance and achieved KPIs, identify issues and actions in preparation for weekly trading meetings and submit to the Senior Merchandiser.
* Propose and agree actions to recover risk and maximise opportunities with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer at category and line level.
* Monthly – capture all agreed actions in the monthly forecast reviews.
* Work up the forecast from category/season level to Buyer Group.
* Meet and gain approval; forecast any sales variance to plan.
* Creation of OTBs; manage commitments – on-time delivery, rebuys, cancellations.
* Markdown proposals.
* Provide Retail with Rack List/Hit List through Merchandise Assistants.
* Manage the range plan in-season reflecting changes.
* Manage Linecards; manage intake at category and line level.
* Visit and understand the store base regularly and create action plans to optimise store performance.
* Manage store option plans to ensure each store has the optimum stock level and key lines.
* Report to the Senior Merchandiser; work with the Senior Merchandiser and Buyer to deliver the plan.
* Guide and direct the Merchandising Team to help deliver the plan.
* Provide and monitor development plans for Assistants with the Senior Merchandiser.
* Communicate to the Retail Team anything that could impact store performance.
* Establish working relationships with Store Operations, Visuals, Marketing, Finance, DC, etc.
Qualifications & Skills
* Previous experience as a Junior or Assistant Merchandiser in a retail merchandising role.
* Strong understanding of stock management, allocation, and replenishment processes.
* Awareness of trading levers, retail KPIs, and the impact of merchandising decisions on sales and profit.
* Interest in outdoor retail and customer trends is desirable.
* Confident in Microsoft Excel with ability to work with sales and stock data to identify patterns and insights.
* Strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to make commercially focused recommendations.
* Experience with merchandising or retail planning systems is advantageous.
* Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong communication skills and the confidence to present ideas to internal teams and external suppliers.
* Proactive, solutions-driven, and commercially minded.
* Ambitious and motivated to progress within merchandising, with a passion for retail and the outdoors.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Marketing and Sales
* Retail
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at JD Sports Fashion by 2x
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr