Assistant Merchandiser - Accessories & Shoes

We are recruiting for an Assistant Merchandiser to join the Accessories and Shoes team here at Harrods. This role is a fixed term contract until April 2025. 

About the Role 

As the Assistant Merchandiser for Accessories and Shoes, you will assist the Merchandiser to effectively plan and trade across the category. You will initiate and propose actions through analysis of brand, category or attribute trading patterns in order to deliver improved sales, margin or stock-turn results.

You will support in the planning process as directed by the Merchandiser, through assortment and range plans, & working closely with the buying team.

You will also assist the Merchandiser in preparing and completing in-season review documents. You will deputise for the Merchandiser in their absence. 

Your duties will also include:

• Suggesting option width by category based on historical sales performance and visual merchandising criteria for planned space. Sense check option width vs. average sales unit by option / style. Monitor category Open-To-Buy versus sales performance and stock turn. 
• Providing line-level forward forecasts to key suppliers where appropriate in order to minimise out of stocks and ensure availability on key lines.
• Supporting the Merchandiser in providing strategy and range review documentation during stage and gate process for each category/season.
• Monitoring monthly forecasts at a lower level e.g. category. Highlight opportunities and risks to the Merchandiser and Buyer. Pro-actively raise issues with buying colleagues and propose profitable actions. 
• Checking top line level OTB spend in season against agreed plans. Document relevant paperwork for unplanned overspends, highlighting areas of concern to all stakeholders. Supporting in the release of OTB requests ensuring all relevant checks are completed.
• Supporting with the clearance strategy prior to Sale periods. Monitor clearance sell through rate and markdown spend vs. plan and previous year. Communicate summary to the Merchandiser and buying colleagues highlighting areas of concern. Attending floor-walks with the retail and  buying teams to identify clearance issues.

About You 

You will be an Assistant Merchandiser or established Merchandise Admin Assistant in a multi-brand or luxury retail business, where you look after a similar sized category. You will understand the nuances that come with concession and own bought brands. You will be able to work at pace, delivering to key deadlines and troubleshooting any issues along the way. 

The ideal candidate will be resilient, tenacious and genuinely open to development feedback. You will be able to adapt your style to get the best outcomes for your people, customers and for the business – using your excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build long lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

You will also:

• Be commercially aware and good with numbers.
• Have expert Excel skills. SAP experience is desirable.
• Be able to perform your duties effectively with minimal supervision and guidance. 
•  Have strong attention to detail. 
• Understand the Luxury retail landscape. 
• Have a solution based mindset. 

About Us

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business. 

In return you’ll receive an excellent benefits package, including a company pension, flexible working, eligibility for a competitive bonus, 25 days’ holiday, and your birthday off, up to 33% in-store discount (including across our food hall and restaurants), and a season ticket loan.

Uniquely You

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart.  We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

While our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you do not meet every desired criteria but feel you have the skills and experience to thrive in this role as well as a genuine interest in working for Harrods and you can demonstrate an alignment with our values, we would encourage you to apply.

If you want to know more about our people and our culture, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods