Merchandising Manager

About the role

Papier, purveyors of an eclectic emporium of stationery and desk products that invite curiosity and contemplation, and we are looking to bring on board a Merchandising Manager as part of the wider Buying and Merchandising team.

As a Merchandising Manager, you will ensure we maximise category performance through strategic range and stock planning, effective in-season trading and execution, forecasting and margin optimisation.

You will be part of a highly collaborative and tightly-knit team working closely with Buying, Finance, Operations, Wholesale, and Performance Marketing.

You will work alongside our Buying and Merchandising Director to define our merchandising strategy and demonstrate a willingness to set up and run relevant processes and systems that align with a DTC and Wholesale business servicing both on-demand and stock purchasing.

Requirements

What will you do: -

Planning and Forecasting:

• Collaborate with Buying and Design teams on developing and coordinating seasonal strategy and delivery plans.
• Collaborate to define the price architecture, set the commercials of each new product against an overall commercial category strategy, deliver margin requirements and product growth.
• Create a detailed budget and stock model.
• Own and lead ongoing management and forecasting of stock throughout trading periods.
• Lead and collaborate the translation of the budget into annual/seasonal open-to-buy forecasts, working with finance on cash flow requirements and then Buying, Design, and Ops on critical paths.
• Plan sales budgets and stock order volumes by product category.
• Define product category range structures, including option counts and range depth.
• Set pricing recommendations across all our product categories.
• Optimise profitability of our categories through gross margin target planning.
• Work with trading to ensure that stock forecasts, budgets and gross margin targets align with the trading plan.
• Lead, manage and develop a team of one (Merchandiser).

Trading:

• Create and own sales and stock intake plan, monitoring and controlling stock levels on a weekly and monthly trading period.
• Collaborate with Buying, Operations and Trading to ensure a solid critical path for stock delivery and replenishment in line with trading plans.
• Provide weekly and monthly updates to the broader trading group on key performance indicators, including sales and stock levels vs budget.
• Monitor ongoing category performance to help inform future range planning.
• Review in-season stock opportunities and stock-out risks to ensure we maximise category profitability.

What will we love about you:

• A strong background in running a merchandising function, particularly managing own brand stock in an e-commerce and wholesale environment.
• Lead from the front and inspire your team to be efficient, engaged, and excited while supporting their development.
• Experience in building a Weekly Sales and Stock Intake plan, with the confidence to develop and build this process from the ground up.
• As with any Merchandiser role, strong analytical skill set with an affinity for the product, brand and customer and experience in collaborating with creative roles.
• You can easily tell a story through numbers to a broader audience.
• A natural communicator who can build effective relationships and thrive on working cross-functionally and influencing others.
• You use energy and enthusiasm to motivate and inspire others to achieve the overall goal.
• A high-growth and fast-paced environment are where you perform best and have the ability to learn quickly.
• You can easily wear multiple hats, be detailed, but also witch it up to a high-level vision.
• You pivot quickly and can identify and respond to stock opportunities and risks.
• You pride yourself on collaboration and will have experience working alongside Buying, Design, eCommerce, Operations and Finance teams.
• Netsuite experience would be a great advantage.

Benefits

What you'll receive as a Papier employee:

• We recognise the need for a work-life balance and offer a hybrid working model of 3 days in the office at Maison Papier, our lovely Camden office.
• 25 days annual leave per year + the ability to buy an extra five days.
• 20 days per year to Work from Anywhere.
• Private medical and rewards scheme with Vitality Health (including 50% off gym memberships with Virgin Active, Pure Gym and more).
• Enrolment into the Papier Pension scheme through the People Pension.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Cycle to work loan scheme.
• £40 per month cultural allowance to spend to inspire you.
• £75 personal stationery allowance, and £150 to spend on our Occasion stationery for a lifetime special event
• 40% staff discount along with a family and friends discount.
• Papier with Purpose. We give back to the community and offer 2 days paid per year to volunteer for a cause you/we care about.
• Constant access to mental health, well-being resources and support from our in-house first aiders.
• Weekly team lunches & regular cultural trips.
• Our pooches are a part of the Papier team and you may see them from time to time in Maison Papier.
• Inclusive and friendly team who will make you feel welcome from day one.

At Papier, we believe that the diverse perspectives of all paper people deserve to be celebrated. A creative and curious community, we strive to be inclusive and equitable to all. We’re an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on any grounds. From hiring processes to day-to-day business, we aim to create an environment that is accessible and safe for everyone. We’re always working towards building a balanced and supportive workplace, with policies to ensure everyone has the opportunity to make the most of their chapter at Papier.