Forecast Merchandiser - Birmingham - KATIE LOXTON

Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

At Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery, our products are loved around the world and making sure we have the right stock in the right place at the right time is critical to our success. As Forecast Merchandiser, you'll play a key role in shaping how we plan and trade across all markets, using data, insight, and creativity to drive commercial results.

Working closely with our Head of Merchandising and wider team, you'll build accurate forecasts that guide stock and sales planning across channels and regions. You'll collaborate with Buying, Design, Ecommerce Logistics to make sure product launches, promotions, and events are supported with the right stock levels, while identifying risks, opportunities, and strategies to maximise sales.

This is a role that blends analytical skill with commercial instinct. You'll use systems and tools from Excel and Power BI to AI-driven modelling to track performance, test scenarios, and recommend adjustments that optimise availability and minimise waste. You'll also share your insight with senior leaders, presenting clear recommendations that shape business decisions.

The role is Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. You'll enjoy the exciting buzz of our friendly office in Banbury, Oxfordshire three times a week on average with the flexibility to work from home for the remaining two days.

BEHIND THE BRANDS

We're a family-run, entrepreneurial company with an exciting pace of life and a bright and friendly team. We are passionate about creating stunning products with a personal touch and innovating our business behind the scenes. We value creativity, collaboration and integrity.

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE

• Create demand forecast by category, season and channel. Using historical sales data, market insights & seasonal trends
• Collaborate with buying, design and purchasing to align forecasts with merchandising strategies
• Monitor stock levels, make & recommend adjustments to improve stock availability
• Partner with Sales, Ecommerce and marketing to incorporate promotions, new launches and events into the forecast
• Track and report forecast accuracy to HOM & Directors providing actionable insights for improvements
• Identify risks and opportunities in demand planning and recommend strategies
• Lead on allocation planning and product selections, ensuring all sales channels are optimised. Work with buying and purchasing to address channel short falls and overs.
• Attend Logistics meetings and manage bottle necks to inbound inventory
• Use AI, Excel and PBI systems to model scenarios and optimize inventory
• Review high stock levels and detail promotional options, pricing and strategies to clear stock
• Present back performance vs forecast to business and making recommendations for future planning
• Working with systems to improve merchandising reporting and dashboards.
• Develop contingency plans for demand volatility, supply chain disruption, or macroeconomic shifts.
• Contribute to sustainability by optimizing forecasts to minimize markdowns, overproduction, and stock wastage
• Mentor and guide junior members of the team where required, fostering strong planning capability within the team.

THE TALENT YOU'LL BRING

• Proven track record in forecating and trend forecasting
• A proven track record in Merchandising within a fast paced and rapidly changing global retailer
• Demonstrates the ability to drive success of a department through commercial and creative thinking
• Can confidently present department KPI's to the team, wider teams, and senior management
• Has excellent system skills, including advanced Excel and have used relevant trading retail systems (experience using Oracle and or Netsuite systems is desirable).
• Has an effective and inclusive management style providing the team with clear direction and development
• Shows strong awareness of current trends and market conditions to aid business decisions
• Builds great relationships with internal stakeholders to aid a collaborative working relationship
• Having had experience of working with FE supplier base and is fully immersed in stock management from COO through to the end customer
• Experience within an Ecommerce business is preferred
• Experience using Power BI, AI tools, or scenario modeling for forecasting
• Ability to anticipate and manage supply chain risks, stock shortages, or demand fluctuations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment and pivot plans quickly in response to market trends.

PERFECTLY PACKAGED

• A salary of £40,000 - £45,000 DOE
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays rising to 35 with length of service
• A broad benefits package including our staff favourite - a very generous staff discount across both our brands. See all of our benefits on our careers portal
• Opportunities to make an impact as well as learn and develop further
• An innovative and friendly workplace with a team we're proud to be part of. Find out more about us and our culture on our careers portal

Joma Jewellery was founded in 2008 by Katie and Geoff Loxton, since then we have gone from strength to strength, launching Katie Loxton in 2015 and growing our business beyond the UK. We know that part of that growth comes from the fact that we take diversity and inclusion very seriously. We strive to be the best in our field, and we know that happens by hiring a diverse team and encouraging everyone to be their authentic selves when working with us. We don't hire based on cultures, preferences, or personalities - it's what you bring to the team that counts.

We are always striving to improve our way of working to be more inclusive, diverse and equal, including encouraging all team members to bring their ideas to the table as we know this is key to our continued success.