Merchandise Planner - #1745285

About the job

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 other Morrisons colleagues, suppliers and our Hong Kong office 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.
• Delivering sales and cash margin plan. Proactively working with category cell to develop a business plan for the next 12 months. Monitoring and evaluating performance against budget / forecast, including sales volume, value, cash and profits Ensuring that the NAM (Net Achieved Margin) is continuing to improve through controlling markdown and accurate stock allocations
• 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, supply chain and Hong Kong sourcing specialists.
• 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

This role is based at our fantastic head office in Bradford. Boasting an on-site restaurant, coffee shop, convenience and sample store, prayer room, free parking and regular company-wide events and promotions. Ideally, applicants will live within a reasonable distance of our office.

About you

We’ve built an incredibly diverse business, and we’re working hard to make sure we truly represent the communities we serve. One of the best things about working with so many different people is having the opportunity to listen, learn and connect with lots of different views, perspectives and beliefs. 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

About us

• 15% colleague discount in our stores and online, plus 10% for two friends/family members
• Annual bonus scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Company pension contributions
• Private healthcare
• Perks with over 850 retailers

We're Foodmakers and Shopkeepers and together, we make Morrisons. We’re the only UK retailer with our own manufacturing business spread across 18 sites, not to mention nearly 500 stores, we’ve lots of opportunities for you to play your part. So, whether you want to make the freshest food, sell it, or join us in our head office, we’d love to meet you…