Trainee Assistant Merchandiser Review

• Monitoring and updating data sheets such as intake trackers and approving shipments and vessels accordingly. • Analysing CAT analysis data to interpret performance and learn lessons for future forecasts. • Chairing critical path meetings and managing the challenges that occur as a result of this through amending POs and negotiating with suppliers. • Maintaining and building supplier relationships electronically and through factory visits to ensure the business maintains a positive reputation for future collaboration. • Maintaining a collaborative approach across all departments for seamlessness in collection drops and seasonal drops. • Helping newer members of staff with merchandising functions, forming a strong team and arranging regular meetings to reinforce this.

Within this role I developed confidence and competence which I would not have gained without completing a placement year. I found my experience at Matalan to be positive and invaluable for my progression within merchandising. Matalan have an amazing team to help to guide you through use of software and the critical path, cat analysis, selection and sign off meetings ans presentation infront of directors. You gain a wide range of skill sets and have alot of opportunities for growth and training at Matalan.

Within my placement year I gradually became more independent and collected more responsibilities as the year continued. The management of this is up to you as you can manage your own workload outside of your core responsibilities and get as much or as little support as you need. Toward the end of my placement I was training other new starters, organising my own meetings, suggesting new ways of tracking stock and implementing my own ideas, communicating with other departments independently to get the information I need without help. All of these things illustrate the confidence and the competency that I gained while working with Matalan.

The structure of the Matalan office means that you are always surrounded by immediate support if needed. Peers and managers are always in abundance so you will never be stuck for help. The amount of support you receive is up to you. You are always welcome to schedule meetings with peers for refreshers or to learn new ways of working. 1 to 1’s are always available just ask and there will always be room in the diary for you. There are also placement meetings held regularly for any questions. I can’t fault the support at Matalan.

The atmosphere at Matalan feels like a family. I was immediately welcomed in and made a large group of friends. The culture within home ware merchandising is lovely and supportive - I have never dreaded going into work because we always have fun and if you’re struggling there’s always someone there for you.

I loved my placement, I never wanted it to end - it was an amazing experience and I’ve made some friends for life. I certainly learnt more than I would be able to from a classroom and I was tested and pushed to do better and I am a better merch for it. I would definitely recommend Matalan as a placement and also generally a place to work.

Yes

For your application make sure to include technical knowledge and key words - other than that let your personality come across in your interview, there’s lots of interesting people at Matalan and it’s important they can see you fitting in. Once you’re hired, my advice would be to write everything down when you first begin as there’s a lot of information for a long time it doesn’t make sense but it can be repetitive which helps you to learn on the job. I wouldn’t say you need to be very knowledgeable on merchandising functions as you learn this on the job but before you go it would be helpful to mention key words like the critical path and cat analysis in your interview. Another piece of advise is to just enjoy yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t pick it up straight away as you will get feedback you receive while working, take everything positively because it’s all to help you grow and become better.