Branch Merchandising Administrative Assistant (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)
We are looking for a Branch Merchandising Administrative Assistant to join Team OB in our Support Office.
As a Branch Merchandising Administrative Assistant at OB, you will be responsible for maximising sales in our stores through stock management, store visits, trading analysis and collaboration with both Retail and Product Merchandising teams.
You will provide analytical and administrative support to the Senior Branch Merchandiser, helping to identify trade opportunities and risk on our Fashion areas, optimise stock levels, and ensure effective allocations across the store portfolio. You will manage communication with stores through our internal platform, including regular updates on information relating to space and grading.
Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to having conversations about working flexibly.
A bit about us …
At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work.
Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do.
Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.
More about the role …
An OB Branch Merchandising Administrative Assistant will:
• Set up allocation plans accurately, ensuring store minimums are correct and there is enough stock to fulfil the requirement including monitoring product cover in stores.
• Manage store stock levels and identify potential stock issues or opportunities.
• Understand the different types of allocations that can be actioned
• Utilise system functions to manage stock levels effectively.
• Complete weekly optimisations – using the stock movement process to maximise sales and reduce risk.
• Support stock management activity across stores, including station stock management, replenishment processes, and identifying stores for optimisation.
• Ensure timely and accurate allocation of stock to new and refurbished stores, manage stock levels during stock build and monitors sales once trading to ensure correct mix of stock.
• Report on weekly trade activity, reviews and understand data information, offering suggestions on where to make sales or stock improvements. Working closely with the Fashion teams to identify trading opportunities across stores.
• Provide analysis for store grading and store profiles, and attend seasonal grading reviews with the Branch Merchandiser.
• Identify sales trends, identify potential, generate action plans and present proposals to Merchandising teams.
• Manage the critical path for seasonal store space review. Provide analysis, identify opportunities to grow profit, and ensure any agreed changes are rolled out accurately and on time
• Provide accurate and timely information for external and internal stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Respond to store queries with a positive can-do attitude reflective of the OB values, offering solutions which benefit both the store and wider business.
• Manage admin support for the Branch Merchandiser and updates store weekly reporting, ensuring data accuracy and clear communication with the wider teams.
• Attend regular meetings with VM/Retail to review trade and identify areas for improvement.
• Assist the Branch Merchandiser in preparation for meetings as required.
• Work closely with Warehouse, VM, Retail and Merchandising teams through regular meetings.
Bonas Benefits:
• Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
• Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Optima Health – offering financial, emotional and vocational support
• Flexible holiday – 30 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service
• Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
• Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan
• Auto-enrolment into our pension plan
• Free access to our onsite gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Refer a Friend incentive
• Quarterly free lunch
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
• Mental Health First Aider support
• Education and support through 360L eLearning platform
What we look for:
• Previous retail experience and genuine interest in the industry
• Previous administrative experience is beneficial, including the use of data platforms
• IT literate with Intermediate / Advanced Microsoft Office skills – Word / Excel and Powerpoint.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Business or Merchandising related qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Willingness to learn.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB
At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work.
It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities.
Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.
To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: https://www.oliverbonas.com/meet-the-team/diversity