JOB DESCRIPTION         MERCHANDISER/BUYING MANAGER

Responsible to: Director / Head of Marketing                   

General Description:  

To ensure that online products are effectively merchandised. Assist in forecasting trends, plan stock levels and monitor performance.   Decide how budget should be attributed, how many lines should be purchased (including quantities) and successfully  negotiate and buy goods.

Assist in setting prices to maximise profits and manage the performance of ranges, planning promotions and markdowns as necessary.   Oversee delivery and distribution of stock and account manage suppliers.

Coordinate with the design department to create beautiful product image representation online store, taking responsibility for ‘the look’ of the store, with the aim of promoting goods in order to maximise sales.  

 Liaise with the marketing department to employ onsite promotions, taking advantage of key calendar dates, including Valentine's Day, Easter and Christmas, current fashions and trends.  Oversee mailing and distribution to customers, meeting merchandising standards.

Duties:

• planning product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans;  
• propose new product lines and source suppliers
• Liaising with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors;
• maintaining a comprehensive library of appropriate data;
• working closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise customer interest and sales;
• forecasting profits and sales, and optimising the sales volume and profitability of designated product categories;
• planning budgets and presenting sales forecasts and figures for new ranges;
• controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season;
• using specialist computer software, for example to handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs;
• analysing every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles), and ensuring that bestsellers reach their full potential;
• monitoring slow sellers, and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary;
• gathering information on customers’ reactions to products and inform marketing department;
• analysing previous season's sales and reporting on the current season's lines;
• making financial presentations to senior managers;
• meeting with suppliers and managing the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing

timescales and delivery dates, and completing the necessary paperwork;

• identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise;
• conducting research based on lifestyle concepts and trends
• developing page plans and sketching designs;
• sourcing materials and display elements, props and accessories;
• design and embellish products ready for promotional events  
• setting up 'model' or ‘mock’ demonstrations, and then photographing/videoing for live selling/demonstration on YouTube and TV shopping Channels
• create and maintain mailing processes and  packaging  to ensure consistency with the company brand and image

General Responsibilities

• Maintain a Safe working environment.
• Devise efficient and cost saving methods. 
• Maintain a cheerful disposition and carry out duties in a purposeful manner.
• Assist in any reasonable activity relative to the everyday running of the Company                                       AUG 2010