Assistant Merchandiser

OKA

1mo ago

Job
Full-time
Junior & Mid Level
Customer Relations
Oxford

AI generated summary

You should have merchandising experience, advanced Excel skills, strong communication ability, a creative mindset, adaptability, organizational skills, and a passion for sustainability.
You will analyze market trends, manage inventory, support product development, optimize costs, ensure timely order fulfillment, and collaborate with teams to enhance customer service and sales performance.

Requirements

An experienced Assistant Merchandiser who is ready to take responsibility for a small area
A creative, problem-solving spirit
Passion for the OKA brand
Highly numerate with advanced excel skills
Ability to communicate in a variety of formats to all levels of the business
Actively seeks continuous personal and team improvements within the work environment
Ability to adapt in a fast-moving business, taking on new challenges and responsibilities
Flexible attitude to working within other areas or departments depending on business requirements
Good organisational skills and attention to detail with proficiency in all Microsoft tools
Passion for helping drive sustainability across the operation

Responsibilities

Awareness of the OKA brand and where it sits in the UK markets
Understand our customer profile & segments
Demonstrate understanding of competitors ranges and use this information to make recommendations
Track competitor product ranges, pricing and promotional tactics
Have a clear understanding of our channels and their varying requirements
Minimise all departmental costs where possible (incl. raw materials)
Build and maintain strong relationships across the wider business
Lead the made to order process and production management ensuring timely escalation of any challenges
Provide exceptional internal and external customer service throughout all touchpoints of the MTO process, end customer, manufacturer and internal departments
Role-modelling our Company Values and Behaviours
Understand departmental strategy and how that fits into the OKA strategic pillars
Contribute to the development of the departmental strategy
Understand departmental budgets & targets
In line with the Merchandising team, provide pre-season planning and analysis to help support the financial budgeting and forecasting process by channel
Work with the Merch & PD team to review sales history, analyse winners and losers, anticipate future trends and understand performance
Identify gaps in the range and make recommendations
Collate information and analysis prior to range review meetings to provide insight to Merchandising & Product Development Team
Update range plans to ensure accurate and up to date information at all times to share with the wider business
Planning sales forecasts in line with department strategy, using wssi and linecard forecasting tools
Order forecasting in line with OTB
Contribute to pre-season allocation plans, working alongside VM, & MAA within the parameters set by the Merchandiser
Provide regular and relevant feedback regarding product/inventory issues and opportunities within the range
Understand department pricing architecture (entry/mid/exit) and provide analysis based on market
Ad hoc analysis as required by the business
Work with supply chain & ACS team to plan efficient movement of stock and control costs, to keep stock in right place at the right time
Negotiate and liaise with the supply base
Review critical path to ensure delivery on time for launch & raise issues where necessary
Work closely with Product Development to ensure all new products are following the specified critical path to launch on time
Review stock and inventory position and make recommendations to pull forward/push back intake
Co-ordinate intake of made to order components/materials to ensure availability for customer orders
Assist in all aspects of trading the department, to include:
Running and updating Monday morning reports, & subsequent analysis
Setting up, maintaining/updating the linecards and proposing actions to JM & MM
Ad hoc analysis as and when required by wider business
Monitor performance and make recommendations on how to exploit/improve
Participate in store visits and provide feedback to the team
Support channels with pulling relevant data and analysis
Work closely with MAA to ensure stock is in the right place, in the right quantity at the right time
Work closely with Ecommerce and Marketing team to ensure that newsletters/emails are commercially viable and promoting the products that will drive interest and sales
Maintain communication with retail team & allocation team to ensure any potential issues are resolved
Assist with preparing and setting up markdown proposals across the key sale periods, as well as promotional activity and exclusion lists
Work proactively to provide the wider business with accurate and up to date information at all times
Use appropriate IT systems and software packages to drive delivery of the critical path
Work with the rest of the Merchandising team to ensure all products are attributed correctly
Work with Supply Chain and Product Development team to ensure system accuracy and credibility
Assist the wider team with accurate data management to ensure complete accuracy
Manage the key administration activities of the dept
Maintain up to date information on all areas including pricing, seasonality and attributes
Provide accurate wider business facing documentation

FAQs

Do we support remote work?

Yes, we operate a hybrid working model, allowing for three or more days in the office, with the remainder of the week working from home.

What is the work environment like at OKA?

We create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive, promoting job satisfaction and engagement.

What are the main responsibilities of an Assistant Merchandiser?

The Assistant Merchandiser supports planning and trading of product ranges, aiming to achieve maximum sales and profit growth while managing stock and costs efficiently.

What skills are required for this position?

Candidates should have advanced Excel skills, strong numerical abilities, good organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across various levels of the business.

Is there scope for career progression in this role?

Yes, we are looking for an agile and proactive individual, which suggests that there are opportunities for growth and taking on more responsibilities within the team.

What qualifications or experience are expected for applicants?

We seek an experienced Assistant Merchandiser who is ready to take responsibility for a small area and demonstrates a passion for the OKA brand.

What benefits does OKA offer its employees?

Benefits include 33 days of holiday, a day off for your birthday, a health care plan, generous staff discount, enhanced maternity pay, and other employee perks.

How does OKA prioritize customer service?

By promoting our value of "Put the Customer First," we aim to provide exceptional internal and external customer service at all touchpoints.

What kind of analysis is expected from the Assistant Merchandiser?

The Assistant Merchandiser will provide pre-season planning and analysis, sales forecasting, and reporting on product inventory issues and opportunities.

Is there a focus on sustainability at OKA?

Yes, we are passionate about helping drive sustainability across our operations, and we encourage applicants who share this value.

OKA

Welcome to OKA, where quintessentially British design meets global craftsmanship. Inspiring interiors as unique as you.

Manufacturing & Electronics

Industry

201-500

Employees

1999

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

What is OKA all about? Simply put, it’s a love affair with living well. Since the very beginning, we’ve been on a mission to create things that make time spent with friends and family more memorable. We believe that’s the secret to living beautifully: enjoying it. OKA started small, with three women bringing unique designs from the Far East to shoppers in the West. Lady Annabel Astor, a serial entrepreneur on a mission to find special items to decorate her holiday home with, invited two friends along: her sister-in-law Sue Jones, whose decorating pedigree included stints at Jasper Conran and Colefax and Fowler, and Lucinda Waterhouse, a skilled horticulturist whose company made exquisite faux flowers. Together they set out to create a catalogue of charming home upgrades.