Merchandise Planner

More about the role

In this role you will develop an understanding and expertise about your category of products and will be the driver of sales and margin. Taking responsibility for a trading category you plan, control and monitor the purchasing, intake and launch of products and ranges. You will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to resolve all issues efficiently and effectively.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• As the planning expert, advising wider teams of the needs of our customer for your category, the construction of ranges and products attributes. Working in collaboration with business colleagues to manage stock, availability, waste/shrink and markdowns for all the products.
• Manage availability of products through appropriate channels such as communication to stores, supply chain, logistics, marketing and any other relevant departments and ensuring you are working in the right way to allow your buying colleague the opportunities to manage the supplier relationships effectively.
• Giving the category team relevant admin, analysis or task support as required.
• Negotiating with suppliers to optimise value (including sales and margin) and operational efficiencies around product sourcing, supply, availability for the appropriate time.
• Exploring opportunities for sales and margin for your category of products, being able to articulate this in a plan with targets, for the next 12 months.
• Being an active member in the category trading cell developing an understanding for buying, quality assurance and supply chain
• Working closely with your supply chain colleague to ensure stock values are maintained, the Open To Buy process is followed and toxic stock is reduced

More about you

For this role, we’re looking for someone who has:

• The ability to seek customer perceptions and motivations to inform and drive improvements, and translate these into sales and margin for Morrison's.
• Ability to interpret the market and make recommendations to maximise sales & margin.
• The ability to influence with effective interpersonal skills, other teams, such as Supply, Technical, Pricing etc, to drive delivery of your annual plan.
• Analytical thinking - manage multiple data sources and make the appropriate decisions for sales, stock, markdown and profit
• Ability to manage OTB Experience
• The ability to use financial analysis and customer data to create and deliver a business plan, which delivers increased brand perception, sales and profit.
• An ability to build relationships with key stakeholders & suppliers.
• A track record of project managing and driving the benefits from an annual plan.
• An ability to trade within the constraints of trading standards and legal compliance. Stockflow and stocks in line with targets

More about our perks

We value your hard work and commitment, and in return, we provide:

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• 15% discount in our supermarkets and convenience stores from the day you join us
• Additional 10% discount card for a friend or family member
• Genuine career progression and development opportunities - read more about our Leadership School here
• Healthcare / Wellbeing benefits including Aviva Digital GP
• 'MyPerks' with discounts at high street shops, cinemas and gyms, and lots more
• Optional payroll charity donations
• A range of family-friendly policies including 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave along with neonatal and fertility leave

Alive with activity, our modern Head Office is home to our corporate teams that make sure everything runs smoothly. Here, you’ll find comfy breakout areas, a coffee shop, Morrisons Daily and a subsidised restaurant. We are within commuting distance of Leeds, Manchester and the Yorkshire Dales - and we even have free parking!

At our Head Office you will expect to find supplier showcases, charity fundraising and celebrations all year round for the events that mean the most to our colleagues.

There’s more to our business as it’s fast paced and ever changing, as such we’ve got lots of fresh opportunities for you to play your part in our success. We’d love to meet you!