We have an exciting opportunity for a Junior Merchandiser to join our Plants (Buying & Merchandising) team based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade. This is a next stage Merchandising role where you will be responsible for maximising the sales and profit of a designated department through a combination of effective planning and trading, delivering stock, sales and margin targets. You will be managing and leading the Allocators, ensuring best practice proceeses are in place.
Responsibilites

• Help deliver the KPI’s for the division (sales, stock, intake buying margin, markdown and net margin)
• Manage the preparation of business plans – Scopes, Range reviews for the division
• Assist in planning the range with the Buyer ensuring historical and future trends data and seasonal variations are considered
• Analyse trends, history and performance to identify any opportunities and mitigate any risks.
• Ensure all orders are placed on time and are sufficient to achieve sales targets
• Initiate promotional activity and volume deals when needed.
• Analyse sales records to predict buying patterns and monitor stock
• Work with the team to maintain the buying calendar and critical path
• Manage the reforecasting of the WSSI and OTB aligns with stock requirements
• Develop great working relations with suppliers so any issues can be resolved quickly
• Build relations with stores and understand all customer profiles through dialogue and regular store visits
• Work with space planning to ensure planograms are executed accurately replenishment parameters are set and launched on time

Who We Are Looking For

• High level of computer literacy, including word and powerpoint
• Advanced excel capabilities
• Excellent organisation skills with strong attention to detail
• Sound understanding of supply chain processes (domestic and global)
• Highly numerate
• Proactive
• Commercial and financial thinking with excellent negotiation skills
• Focussed on getting things right
• Strong planning, prioritisation, presentation and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, building strong relationships across the business
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better everyday. We bring a smile. We live and breathe gardens. We make it work for our customers.

What We Offer

• Holiday – enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time)
• Discount – treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
• Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance
• Pension – save for the future with our company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan
• Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan
• Access to Wagestream – support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
• Access to Retail Trust – seek confidential support, access to a Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform
• Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our eLearning platform and development programmes
• Study assistance – invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications
• The little things to keep you going through the day – free tea, coffee, and milk
• Collaborative office space – with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap
• Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events
• And more including…Life assurance, eye care, cycle to work scheme…oh and a dog friendly office

About UsAt Dobbies, we’re proud to have history dating back to 1865. Founded by James Dobbie, we’re the UK’s largest garden centre retailer, with 3,800 colleagues and 77 stores, including six little dobbies, and a Central Support Office near Edinburgh.
Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We have something for every season, occasion and style of garden, outside and in.
Many of our stores also feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. ?
At Dobbies, we champion garden living all-year-round and offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together.
We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.