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Assistant Merchandiser
Assistant Merchandiser – Bury Head Office, JD Sports Fashion
About JD
Established in 1981 from a single store in the Northwest of England, JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms, operating over 3,400 stores across 30+ global markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996, JD Sports has become a FTSE100 company in 2019 and continues to expand internationally.
We aim to be the world’s best global omni-channel retailer in sports and outdoor retail, driven by our people-led, innovative, and customer-focused approach. We thrive on operational excellence while exploring new growth opportunities.
Passion for our mission? Then join us as an Assistant Merchandiser—ultimately helping us grow into the future of sports retail.
The Role
Why Join JD?
As a key member of our Merchandising team, you’ll:
- Support product strategy—ensuring the right stock is available to customers
- Enhance opportunities for both product and stores
- Collaborate across functions to contribute to growth
- Engage in constant learning and take initiative to contribute.
- Drive operational excellence while identifying new store performance possibilities.
Job Description
The Assistant Merchandiser reports to the Merchandiser in Bury Head Office, within the JD Sports Fashion fascia.
Responsibilities
Your role is split as follows:
Plan (5%)
- Support the formulation of store-level range plans and sign off pack reporting/analysis.
- Assist the Merchandiser/Buyer (SAM – Small/Manual Allocations) to plan divisions or categories based on brand/overall performance metrics.
Order (15%)
- Develop accurate size ratios for all buying orders.
- Ensure planners are precise to optimise order-raising processes.
- Collaborate with Merchandise Assistants on uploading orders via the system.
- Reconcile supplier order books, communicating anomalies (especially for major brands).
Stock (20%)
- Work with the Buying team to collate bookings.
- Prioritise undelivered orders (intake) while ensuring optimal stock placement (with Merchandiser guidance).
- Build relationships with the supplier base to enhance delivery efficiency.
- Monitor and review booked lines performance to adjust actions accordingly.
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Trade (60%)
- Review weekly reporting and present key insights for the departmental trade email.
- Prepare a daily focus brief for yourself and the Merchandise Assistant.
- Use performance analytics to drive targeted actions:
- Submit cancellations, rephasing recommendations, and markdown proposals to the Merchandiser.
- Identify priority stores for stock optimization and propose relevant actions.
- Analyse new or refit stores, underserved customers, and option underperformance.
- Review branches’ trading feedback to align with best practices.
- Highlight products/drivers for IBT (Inbound Telesales) and fast-tracking.
- Propose distribution corrections to Buying and Merchandise teams.
- Check and approve weekly division price changes before upload.
- Submit progress of Merchandise Assistant's weekly tasks.
Additional Task-Specific Work
- Assistant Merchandiser (AM)
- Create and validate Linecards for product visibility.
- Senior Assistant Merchandiser (SAM, optional)
- Manage and leverage Linecards to improve visibility for key lines.
- Propose merchandise adjustments, such as pricing or suppression plans, based on trends.
- Execute reliable range planning to ensure consistent options.
- Collaborate across the organisation:
- Build cross-team relationships for growth efforts.
- Conduct ad-hoc analysis when required.
The Ideal Candidate
Cultural Fit & Personal Drive
- Enthusiastic about JD, its brands, and its customers.
- At least basic knowledge of trading and merchandising.
- Strong numerical aptitude—analytical with a passion for data.
- Must be systems-driven’—fluent in Excel and Microsoft Office.
- Highly detail-oriented with organisational excellence.
- A strong communicator able to build relationships with all stakeholders.
- Proven ability to own projects and drive initiatives independently.
- Excels at collaboration, ensuring open communication and team alignment.
- Adaptable and flexible—reactive to fast-paced business demands.
- Curious and committed to growth—willing to take on new challenges.
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** Team Roles**
Your merchandising work centre fulfills broader organisational needs. You’ll:
- Contribute to our Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories verticals.
- Engage with branded suppliers and cross-functional teams.
- Access internal learning and growth programmes to develop skills.
Team Structure
Our Merchandising team operates across various disciplines:
- Apparel
- Footwear
- Accessories
Each team shares projects daily but works toward specialised goals. Ongoing support from career mentors and training opportunities is embedded in your role.
Benefits
Workplace Perks
- Company-wide discount on all JD Group brands (JD, **Size?**s, Blacks, Millets, GO Outdoors).
- Pension scheme to support your long-term savings.
- Flexible holiday entitlement (reflecting your commitment).
- Discounted membership to JD Gyms.
- In-house training programmes and apprenticeships.
- Staff sales events (exclusive offerings).
- Onsite parking and canteen.
- Career progression across UK and international roles.
Recruitment Process
- Individual application reviews followed by tailored conversations on skills, experience, and career aspirations.
- Response timeline: If we haven’t reached out within three weeks, kindly consider the application as unsuccessful.
- Diversity & inclusion is a core value—all applications are welcomed, regardless of background.
- Reasonable accommodations supported during interviews.
Contact us today, join a respected retailer, and help shape the future of sports retail.
#JD
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