We are looking for a Senior Merchandiser within our Ambient Food categories. These are the most commercial categories within F&M, driving sales in category, hampers and across all channels including Wholesale. Availability is key, trading and planning seasonal campaigns and close management of the supply base is essential. The space planning function is a growing area within F&M as we continue to plan our layouts to ensure that they are beautiful, commercial and practical for our operations. 

Role Purpose:

Ambient Food categories are the most commercial within F&M, driving sales in category, hampers and across all channels including Wholesale. Availability is key, trading and planning seasonal campaigns and close management of the supply base is essential.  The space planning function is a growing area within F&M as we continue to plan our layouts to ensure that they are beautiful, commercial and practical for our operations.

Reports to: 

Director of Merchandising

Direct Reports: 

3 category Merchandisers, 1 Branch Planning/Space Planning Merchandiser.

Key interfaces:

The role holder will interact with multiple parties across the company including Fortnum’s Management Group, and other business leaders. Strong collaboration and stakeholder management is key across Buying, Retail, Logistics, Wholesale, Visual Merchandising, IT and Transformation.

Key Accountabilities:

*       Maintaining acceptable levels of inventory within stock holding/stock turn constraints and effective warehouse planning- meeting availability targets and avoiding waste/markdown.

*       Working with Buying and Visual Merchandising to ensure our Food Floors and OLS are planned effectively.

*       Working collaboratively to ensure Merchandising are influential in the strategic direction, department strategy and ranging architecture within Ambient Food.

*       Along with the Head of Buying, delivering supplier strategy – ensuring it is fit for future growth.

*       Ensure that all sales forecasts are accurate and propose and drive commercial actions to ensure targets are met, wastage is avoided and seasonal sell throughs are +90%.

*       Managing a motivated and high performing team through regular 1-2-1s, PDRs and personal development focus and coaching.

*       Deputising for the Director of Merchandising as needed.

*       Assisting with the on-going growth of Fortnum & Mason by assisting the Commercial teams deliver NPD and exciting new propositions.

Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability)

We expect the successful candidate to have the following skills and experience:

*       Food industry experience, understanding and passion.

*       Technologically savvy- experience of forecasting tools.

*       Space Planning experience- particularly Retail Smart/Scorpion highly desirable.

*       Creative problem solver.

*       Excellent Microsoft office skills will ability to train and coach others.

*       Excellent communication and presentation skills.

*       Collaborative worker.

*       Strong leadership skills/project management ability.

*       Solid retail background- understanding of supply chain and appreciation of impact on Logistics and Retail Ops.

*       An ability to challenge, build credibility with a wide range of audiences and work with integrity/confidentiality at all times

*       You will possess strong analytical skills

*       Confident in driving change

*       Demonstrate successful forward planning

*       Working at a similar Senior Merchandiser level, with an existing food merchandising background across various channels.

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary
• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%
• 25 days holidays pro rata (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday
• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients
• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally
• Excellent pension scheme