Trade Planning Merchandiser

About Matalan

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here.

We know as a team, we are stronger together - we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

• Strategy & KPIs
  • Work closely with the Director of Trading, planning and merchandising to shape a Trade Plan that attracts and retains customers, turning strategic objectives into clear and authoritative promotions, activities and events across all channels.
  • Ensure the Trade Plan with the Company and Divisional strategies, designed to achieve annual sales and profit targets.
  • Agree and monitor each Trade Plan period's performance KPIs against agreed sales, profit and customer targets, taking learnings to inform subsequent plans.
• Trade Planning
  • Chair the weekly Trade Planning Execution Meeting
  • Attend and support the Director of Trading, planning and merchandising in chairing the weekly Trade Planning Group Meeting, where the trade plan is set and agreed with cross-functional stakeholders
  • Use a broad range of internal/external data and insight, continually evaluate trading plans to ensure they are operationally achievable and deliver annual sales, profit and customer targets over an 18-month horizon
• Leadership and ways of working
  • Manage cross-functionally with colleagues across Buying, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Partnerships, Insights, Loyalty and Online, to create and execute Trade Plans, right first time.
  • Manage the Trade Activity Retro process, ensuring reviews of outcomes and their drivers are conducted within 4 weeks of a trade driving activity finishing.
  • Present review findings to the Trade Planning Group.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues to ensure Critical Path dates are achieved in the planning and execution of trading activity.
  • Escalate and manage accordingly any re-prioritisation or recovery steps to keep teams on track for delivery.
  • Manages and develops the Trade Planning Assistant
• Commercial Acumen
  • Use your commercial acumen to make recommendations and trade-offs of proposed trade plan activity, working closely with the Director of Trading & Merchandising, Heads of Merchandising and the Commercial Finance Business Partner
  • Forecast the target sales, profit and customer performance of each trade plan activity

• Proven previous experience within a Trade Planning function, ideally within a fashion and/or homeware omnichannel retailer.
• Ability to work cross-functional with commercial and product functions, with the ability to influence at a senior level.
• Knowledge of Marketing and Merchandising strategies foster collaboration to drive optimum commercial outputs.

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business