Central Merchandising Planner

Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days in our Support Centre

Why The Works?

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Central Merchandising Planner

We’re looking for an Central Merchandising Planner to join our Merchandising team here at The Works! You’ll sit within our Supply Chain function and play a key part in our team structure.

Your Mission

• Support Pillars in optimising sales, stock holding, margin and availability.
• Provide weekly seasonal and ad hoc analysis of range and promotional performance vs plan to inform relevant actions
• Consolidating and co-ordinating plans across all Pillars to ensure roll ups are consistent and considered operationally
• Channel reporting (store / web) both weekly and ad hoc reporting consolidated centrally
• Ongoing space and density analysis and recommendations to ensure optimisation of the store estate
• WSSI exceptions reporting to ensure consistency and alignment
• Stockflow and DC capacity planning – identifying and highlighting challenges vs stock targets from the point of order raising through to DC
• Provide data analysis to support optimisation of ranges on an ongoing basis
• Create and maintain appropriate trackers and planners to allow full visibility of range make up and performance vs plan
• Ensure all range attributing is in place and accurate with consistent reporting
• Provide a Promotional planning tool to allow robust analysis and provide insight on the outcomes of promotional activity
• Coordinate Sale clearance central roll ups and costings through to weekly sell through reporting
• Key support to the Heads of Merchandising in key business cross functional projects

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Strong numerical skills and ability to analyse and interpret data with recommendations
• Demonstrable experience of working in a fast paced trading environment
• Recent comparable experience, with a proven track record in a Central Merchandise Planning role
• Proven ability to develop coach and navigate change
• Demonstrate delivery of results as an individual and as part of a team

Being a great leader 

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.•Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.•Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.•Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.•Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.•Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.•Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.•Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This helps in building strong, supportive relationshipsAnd let's not forget about the most important part… your team's well-being and aspirations. You'll be their biggest supporter, cheering them on. You'll have amazing everyday conversations with your team, discussing everything from their performance to their wildest career aspirations.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
• Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
• Wagestream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
• Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
• 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
• Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
• And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading. learning, creativity and play - making lives more fulfilled.

Our Values

We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).