JD Sports Fashion
Senior Merchandiser - Apparel
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Senior Merchandiser - Apparel
Category & Plan Manager
The JD Group is a leading multi-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gymwear, spanning stores globally across multiple markets. Founded in 1981, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE100) and continues to expand domestically and internationally. Our mission is to remain the world’s premier omni-channel retailer in sports and outdoor retail.
We seek a ** passionate and driven professional** to join us in shaping growth, embracing operational excellence, and enabling our ** people-led, innovative, and customer-focused** culture.
About the Role
As Category & Plan Manager, you will:
- Lead the team to execute Channel Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake, and Profit Plans.
- Drive impactful change to align with our strategic goals and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy (10%)
- Review previous season performance with the Buyer, capturing lessons learned.
- Collaborate with the Buyer to create and present departmental strategy.
- Support team development through internal succession planning and promotions.
Plan (35%)
- Approve grading proposals from the Trading Merchandiser for assortment planning input.
- Review Season at Merchandise Trade (SMT) plans annually at Buyer Group/Season level and refine at Category/Season level to meet targets.
- Quarterly work with the Buyer to develop category-level plans and submit them to the system for optimal performance outcomes.
- Align Store-level range plans with the Buyer on a quarterly basis.
- Participate in selection/pre-selection meetings with the Buyer and suppliers.
- Collaborate with Assistant Merchandisers to pre-schedule stock to align with the range plan.
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Trade (50%)
- Weekly: Review trading performance, KPIs, and identify issues/commit actions for weekly trading meetings.
- Propose recovery actions with the Buyer to address risks and seize opportunities, both at the category and line levels.
- Monthly: Document agreed actions during forecast review meetings.
- Convert category-level forecasts into Buyer Group proposals, incorporating:
- Sales variance adjustments
- Creation of Open-to-Buy (OTB) valuations
- On-Time Delivery (OTD) and commitment management (e.g., rebuys, cancellations)
- Markdown proposals
- Provide Merchandising aids to Retail via Store Allocators.
- Adjust and monitor the range plan for the Season, tracking product sell-through dates.
- Build cross-functional collaboration with Online, Store Operations, Visuals, Marketing, Finance, Distribution Centres (DC), and Stores.
- Deputise for the Merchandise Manager in absence to maintain operational continuity.
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Stock (5%)
- Assess stock ratios for all purchases with Assistant Merchandisers.
- Ensure the actual Buy conforms to the approved Plan Buy.
- Oversee cat/log-line intakes, analysing and negotiating stock inflow.
Behavioral Competencies
We seek candidates with the following traits:
- Delivering Excellence: Consistently perform with focus, delivering high standards and collaboration to meet expectations.
- Responsibility: Ownership and initiative in work execution; accountability for actions.
- Teamwork: Proactive support, sharing expertise, and aligning toward collective goals.
- Leadership: Inspiring colleagues through professional behavior and driving results.
- Communication: Clear, precise, and effective messaging ensure alignment.
Required Skills & Experience
- Mandatory experience in a similar commercial/ merchandising role.
- Knowledge of sports/fashion retail is advantageous.
- Sharp numerical aptitude with a commercial mindset.
- Proven record of delivering tangible results in prior roles.
Benefits
Our dedicated team drives JD Sports’ success. In return, we offer:
- Discounted Group brand product availability (including JD Sports collections).
- Personal development opportunities for growth and career advancement.
Apply and be part of #JD.
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