Assistant Merchandiser

Role Title: Assistant Merchandiser

Department: Merchandising

Reports To: Merchandiser / Junior Merchandiser

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Working Arrangements/Pattern: 3/4 days per week, office based

Working Location: FatFace HQ, Havant, PO9 1QJ

Salary: From £27,000

Who are we?

For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.

Our mission statement:

Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.

Our Product formula:

Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.

We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 best places to work 2026.

Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.

Role Summary

The Assistant Merchandiser plays a critical role in supporting the commercial delivery of product categories through accurate analysis, system management, and strong operational execution. Working closely with the Merchandiser and Junior Merchandiser, the role ensures ranges launch on time, trading performance is well reported, and key processes are maintained to a high standard. Deputising and supporting category lead in all areas. The Assistant Merchandiser builds strong technical capability and commercial understanding while supporting Trainee Merchandisers and contributing insight to category and departmental decision making.

Role Responsibilities

Strategy & Category Support

• Contribute data led insight into departmental and category strategies.
• Accountable for merchandising and trading activity relating to seasonal peaks, SALE, new stores, space changes, and additional channels.
• Analyse performance trends to support commercial decision making and trade priorities.
• Set up markdown roll ups for SALE activity.
• Support trade decisions through accurate data preparation and timely execution of actions.

Systems & Web Readiness (NEXT Product System)

• Maintain estimates by season within the NEXT Product System, supported by Trainee Merchandisers and under direction of the Merchandiser.
• Own Web Readiness approvals, including PSI (Premium Site Indicator), estimates, pricing, and sizing validation.
• Conduct weekly reviews of OPD (Online Progressing Dashboard) in Power BI to ensure Publishing KPIs are met.
• Complete Item Approvals accurately and on time.
• Communicate MDQs (Minimum Display Quantities) to NEXT Branch Merchandising by product area.
• Confirm final Transport store ranges by phase and communicate updates to Branch Merchandising teams.

Range Planning & Product Critical Path

• Set up and own Lessons Learnt documentation and commentary, presenting findings back to the team.
• Participate in ranging meetings, using Lessons Learnt analysis to support commercial decisions.
• Own and maintain ranging templates that feed systemic range updates.
• Load dummy estimates in preparation for ranking and range development.
• Set up sign‑off packs, collating and validating history, attribution, and supporting data.
• Work with Buying to ensure attribution is completed in preparation for sign‑off roll‑ups.
• Provide accurate data for Visual Line Plans (VLPs).
• Deputise and Support Merchandisers in sign‑off meetings with relevant data analysis (e.g. attribution and performance history), and recording of follow up actions.
• Document and maintain updates following signoff, including re rolling signoff packs.
• Collate seasonal size analysis data and make suggestion to merchandiser on amends that will drive full price sales.
• Support ongoing communication with Partner teams regarding range changes and final product decisions.

Contracts

• Support Trainee Merchandisers in loading accurate size ratios into the NEXT Product System.
• Set up and maintain the Contract Tracker with guidance from the Merchandiser.
• Complete contract approvals and ensure accuracy of contract data and spend alignment.
• Flag risks and issues that may require broader planning or trading changes and proactively influence solutions to enable the contract to be raised.

Critical Path Management

• Lead merchandising input into Critical Path meetings. Carry out follow up actions with support from Trainee Merchandiser.
• Follow up with regular communication to suppliers, flagging risks, delays, and proposing solutions to mitigate impact.
• Find solutions to issues and delays to help maintain launch position targets and critical path progression.

Intake & Launch Readiness

• Analyse and report accurate launch position two phases in advance, issuing weekly launch reports with supporting commentary.
• Monitor air freight usage and spend against budget, highlighting risks and corrective actions.
• Complete ROSA (Rate of Sale Allocation) reviews for new lines and communicate insight to FatFace Branch Merchandising.

Trading & In Season Support

• Own the setup, validation, and circulation of key trading reports including Season to Date and Sales by Line.
• Report on launch performance, identifying issues and proposing solutions.
• Support review of in season Line Flow forecasts and actuals, prioritising actions with the Merchandiser.
• Analyse performance trends and contribute category commentary for trade sheets.
• Support category analysis presentations in trade meetings.
• Review proposed trading actions from Trainee Merchandisers, providing constructive feedback based on sales and stock analysis.
• Support summarised reporting and action tracking in department trade meetings.
• Review and confirm Partner replenishment requests.

Supplier Support

• Set up 3‑ to 5‑year historical data to support supplier forecasting.
• Maintain production planning sheets.
• Contribute to supplier meetings by providing accurate data and analysis.

Team Contribution & Development

• Mentor and support Trainee Merchandisers in building technical and commercial capability.
• Deliver training to support the development needs of Trainee Merchandisers.
• Identify and participate in peer learning and development opportunities.
• Take full ownership of responsibilities, meeting expectations set by the Merchandiser.
• Set clear day today expectations for Trainee Merchandisers.

Broader Merchandising Responsibilities

• Conduct regular store visits and competitor shopping.
• Support cross functional initiatives and ad hoc analysis with Visual Merchandising, Responsible Sourcing, Retail Ops, Ecommerce, and Marketing.
• Actively contribute to the delivery of the company sustainability strategy.
• To abide by all FatFace policies, procedures and brand values

Skills and Experience

• Experience as a Trainee Merchandiser/Assistant Merchandiser or strong merchandising/analytical retail background.
• High level of numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Confident use of Excel and retail systems; experience with reporting tools such as Power BI an advantage.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Clear communicator with a collaborative and proactive approach.
• Strong desire to develop a long term career in merchandising.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Collaboration: Builds positive relationships and works inclusively with others to achieve shared goals.
• Communication: Communicates clearly, openly and respectfully, ensuring others feel informed, listened to and valued.
• Customer Focus: Puts customer needs at the heart of decisions and actions to deliver exceptional experiences.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for actions, commitments and results. Being reliable, following through and learning from mistakes.
• Adaptability: Responds positively to change and challenges, approaching new ideas, experiences and opportunities with a curious and open mindset.
• Problem Solving: Uses good judgement, initiative, curiosity, creativity and available digital tools to find practical solutions and improve outcomes.
• Living Our Values: Consistently demonstrates FatFace brand values and follows company policies, procedures and ways of working.
• Purpose and Impact: Supports FatFace's social and environmental commitments by championing opportunities within their role to make a positive impact through everyday behaviours, actions and decisions.

Line Manager Competencies:

• Commercial Acumen: Uses brand understanding and commercial insight to make informed decisions that support performance and growth.
• Financial and Resource Management: Manages budgets, forecasts and resources responsibly, balancing commercial performance with effective cost control and planning.
• Performance Management: Sets clear expectations, addresses challenges honestly and constructively, and supports high performance to help individuals and teams succeed.
• Team Development: Builds the capability, empowerment and engagement of team members through everyday conversations, feedback and development.

Role Competencies:

• Analytical Capability – Accurately analyses data to support trading and planning decisions.
• Execution Excellence – Delivers tasks to a high standard and on time.
• Commercial Awareness – Understands the impact of decisions on sales, margin, and stock.
• Collaboration – Works effectively with Buying, Merchandising, and cross functional teams.
• Learning Agility – Seeks feedback and continuously builds capability.
• Ownership & Accountability – Takes responsibility for outcomes and continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Deliverables:

Collaboration

☐ External Agency or Consultant

☐ External Supplier

☒ NEXT Business Partners

☐ FatFace Directors

☒ Store Teams

☒ Internal Product Teams (Design, Buying, Merchandising)

☒ Internal Support Teams (Finance, IT, Retail Operations, People, Compliance, Property)

☐ Internal Creative Teams (Marketing, Creative, Studio)

☒ Industry Networking

Deliverables

☐ Department Spend vs Budget

☐ Team Performance and Development

☐ Compliance and Governance Requirements

☒ Commercial Reporting

☐ Project Delivery

☒ Timelines and Deadlines

☐ Resource Planning

FatFace Benefits:

Financial & Protection Benefits

• Sick pay allowances
• Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
• Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
• Dental insurance (colleague funded)

Discounts & Perks

• 60% off FatFace products
• 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• Perkbox – our online platform offering:
• Day-one access
• Exclusive brand discounts
• Wellbeing content
• Home workouts and more

Health & Wellbeing

• Specsavers eye care scheme
• Eye tests and contributions to glasses
• Free period products
• EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support

Learning & Development

• THRIVE – our learning management system:
• Day-one access
• 1,000s of learning resources

Time Off & Leave

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
• Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.

Additional Perks

• Refer a Friend scheme

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.