Job Purpose
The Merchandiser manages financial planning, inventory analysis, and demand execution for assigned categories under the direction of the Senior Merchandiser. This role bridges OTB discipline with day-to-day stock management, ensuring the right products are available in the right markets at the right time, while supporting category P&L delivery.
Key Responsibilities
OTB & Financial Planning
- Maintain and update the OTB plan for assigned categories in line with approved budgets.
- Track intake against plan and flag over- or under-investment to the Senior Merchandiser.
- Support monthly financial reforecasting with updated demand and intake data.
- Assist with best-, base-, and worst-case scenario modelling for assigned categories.
- Monitor margin performance and highlight leakage risks for Senior Merchandiser review.
Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain SKU-level demand forecasts for assigned categories and markets.
- Incorporate seasonality, promotions, and trend signals into forecast models.
- Continuously reforecast based on live sell-through and stock performance data.
- Provide the Buying team with demand data inputs for purchasing decisions.
- Track forecast accuracy and identify patterns to improve future forecasting.
Inventory Deployment & Allocation
- Translate OTB intake plans into allocation and distribution decisions across markets.
- Monitor stock cover by SKU, channel, and country against agreed targets.
- Identify stock imbalances and recommend redistribution or replenishment actions.
- Support replenishment planning in coordination with Supply Chain.
- Flag ageing stock and support Buying on markdown and clearance timing.
Trading & Performance Analysis
- Monitor weekly category trading performance against revenue and margin plans.
- Prepare trading commentary and performance analysis for weekly reviews.
- Identify underperforming SKUs and recommend corrective actions.
- Track the impact of promotions and markdown activity on sell-through and margin.
- Support pricing optimisation recommendations based on performance data.
Cross-functional Execution
- Align with Buyers on intake timing, depth decisions, and stock deployment priorities.
- Coordinate with Supply Chain on replenishment schedules and inbound priorities.
- Provide demand data and stock availability information to Online Merchandising.
- Support CRCO and MDM with inventory data for SKU setup and launch readiness.
Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain, Statistics, or a related field.
Experience
- 2–4 years of experience in merchandising, demand planning, retail analytics, financial planning, or a related field.
Skills
- Hands-on knowledge of Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning.
- Demand forecasting and inventory analysis.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and BI/reporting tools.
- Ability to analyse sales, stock, margin, and sell-through performance.
- Strong numerical and analytical capabilities.
Key Attributes
- Numerically strong and analytically rigorous.
- Commercially curious with a strong understanding of business performance.
- Structured, organised, and process-driven.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
- Collaborative and comfortable working across Buying, Supply Chain, and other commercial functions.
About Floward :
Floward Life Page
Floward Corporate
Founded in 2017, Floward is an online flowers and gifting company; we pride ourselves in creating a seamless experience for our customers and making sending flowers and gifts as enjoyable as receiving them. We source our flowers daily from the best growers and farmers around the world to create one of a kind stunning arrangements and plants that fit every occasion. We also partner with local and international brands to offer a wide range of gifts including chocolate, perfumes, cakes and more, coupled with our arrangements to create the perfect gift. Operating in 36 cities in nine countries across the MENA region and UK, we guarantee same-day delivery across the board through our own refrigerated fleet to ensure our arrangements arrive fresh to the customer
