Allocator

Job Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an Allocator to join our Buying & Merchandising team based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade. Your role will be to manage the allocation of stock across UK stores and online, ensuring they have everything they need to deliver the customer experience. You will monitor and analyse data trends to ensure stores receive the right stock at the right time.

• Manage the delivery schedules, stock allocation, replenishment and outstanding order commitment for the department.
• Take ownership of all line profiles, accurately set up and manage them accordingly in season.
• Create and maintain Purchase Orders.
• Understand department financial KPI’s and stock targets.
• Work with the Assistant / Merchandiser to manage WSSI OTB targets and build them into the weekly replenishment parameters.
• Manage stockbuild for new stores, building in the correct supplier lead times.
• Support range exit plans and reintroduction of products in season.
• Carry out regular and ad‑hoc analysis as requested.
• Support the team to update and maintain our product systems, spreadsheets and order catalogues.
• Create and maintain store grade tables.
• Work with the online Merchandiser to ensure stock is available as needed.
• Collaborate with the wider Buying and Merchandising team to proactively improve performance and hit business targets.
• Improve dialogue and communication with stores regarding stock levels and allocation.
• Conduct regular visits to stores and distribution centres to understand customers and build good working relationships.

• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Highly numerate.
• Willingness to learn.
• Proactive attitude.
• Focus on getting things right.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, presentation and problem‑solving skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, building relationships across the business.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of computer literacy, including Word and PowerPoint.
• Advanced Excel capabilities.
• Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better every day, we bring a smile, we live and breathe gardens, we make it work for our customers.

• Holiday – enjoy a well‑deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro‑rata for part time).
• Discount – generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls.
• Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life.
• Pension – save for the future with our company‑contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan.
• Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest‑free loan.
• Access to Stream – support your financial wellbeing, with the ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and receive financial advice.
• Access to Retail Trust – confidential support, a virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards.
• Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our e‑learning platform and development programmes.
• Study assistance – invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications.
• The little things to keep you going through the day – free tea, coffee and milk.
• Collaborative office space – with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap.
• Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events.

At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK.

Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all‑year‑round.

Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for.

We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.