Asst Merchandiser - Outlets FTC

Ready to make an impact in Outlets? Join us as an Assistant Merchandiser and drive trade, shape performance and maximise every opportunity across the UK business.

As an Assistant Merchandiser in the UK Outlets team, this role helps bring great products to customers at the right time, in the right place and at the right level of stock. It plays an important part in turning commercial plans into action through strong analysis, close collaboration and a clear focus on performance.

Working closely with Merchandising and Buying, this role supports the planning and delivery of the department, from forecasting and intake to markdown activity and in‑season trade. It is all about using insight to spot opportunities, respond to risk and help the team make the best decisions for the business and the customer.

From maintaining key planning tools and trade analysis to supporting range reviews and seasonal planning, this role keeps the team informed, organised and ready to act. By building strong partnerships with Sourcing and Supply Chain, it helps keep delivery on track and ensures decisions are supported by accurate data and clear insight.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working at pace, brings strong commercial judgement and is confident using data to make decisions. With the chance to work across teams and make a visible contribution to performance, it offers real scope to grow, add value and help shape the success of the UK Outlets business.

NB This is a 12 month Fixed Term role based at our Paddington Support Office a minimum of three days a week

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Supporting the delivery of department strategy through ownership of sales, stock and intake forecasts, ensuring strong availability and effective markdown management across the Outlets channel
• Analysing in‑season trade to identify opportunities and risks, taking action with cross‑functional teams to maximise sales and optimise stock performance
• Partnering with Merchandising and Buying teams to build and execute quarterly range and intake plans, ensuring the right products and quantities are delivered at launch and throughout the season
• Leading key planning activity, including range reviews, lessons learned and maintenance of accurate planning tools and markdown documentation to support informed decision making
• Managing the end‑to‑end critical path in collaboration with Sourcing and Supply Chain teams, while maintaining awareness of competitor activity to inform pricing and product strategy

Your skills and experience will include

• Strong core merchandising capability, including sales and stock planning, forecasting, intake management and markdown control to drive profitable department performance
• Solid understanding of the end‑to‑end buy‑to‑store process, with the ability to manage the critical path and ensure timely delivery across the Outlets operation
• Highly analytical and numerate, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends and use insights to inform decisions and maximise sales opportunities
• Confident using systems and tools, with advanced Excel skills and the ability to quickly adapt to new and evolving merchandising technology
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across Buying, Design, Sourcing and wider business teams while managing competing priorities with organisation and pace

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast‑moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
• Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
• Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
• Exclusive perks and savings through our…