Are you an experienced Space Planner or Merchandiser looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for blending the 'art' and 'science' of retail to create safe, practical, and highly profitable shopping experiences?
This role will give a creative and analytical individual the opportunity to lead the development of accurate and innovative Planograms across our category ranges. Wickes is a forward-thinking business, and as a Category Merchandiser, you will have a direct impact on how our customers shop, holding final decision-making authority over Planogram design and macro space blocks before final sign-off.
We are looking for someone who can challenge the status quo and use lateral thinking to solve complex spatial problems across our unique store layouts. Balancing store productivity, safety, and commercial returns, you will proactively collaborate with cross-functional teams to land retail changes smoothly and efficiently.
What you’ll be doing:
- Collaborate with Commercial Category teams to develop accurate, practical Planograms for new product introductions, range reviews, and merchandising improvements. Physically test completed Planograms in test or live environments to guarantee integrity.
- Proactively prepare ranging reports and charts to provide product-level recommendations, ensuring informed commercial decisions are made regarding space allocation.
- Ensure all Planograms strictly adhere to Merchandising Health & Safety policies, complete necessary risk assessments, and obtain approval for new concepts.
- Collaborate with Buyers, Brand Design, Suppliers, and Operations to innovate and develop new racking and equipment for safer, more effective product displays.
- Coordinate the rollout of project progress and ranging changes to stakeholders, ensuring store activity adheres to agreed workload parameters.
- Provide vital on-site support for new store openings, format rollouts, store re-merchandising projects, and post-implementation evaluations.
- Manage significant quantitative outputs across 20 to 30 projects annually, maintaining approximately 500 planograms, 300 floorplans, and accurate ranging for around 8,000 SKUs.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience using modern space planning/merchandising software (e.g., Blue Yonder/Intactix Space Planning & Floor Planning) alongside basic familiarity with CAD planning software and strong spreadsheet competency.
- A minimum of 2 years of operational experience within a multi-site retail environment, with a good understanding of consumer shopping behaviour and practical merchandising techniques.
- Excellent spatial awareness, visual 3D observation skills, and robust organizational abilities to manage high project volumes.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present data-driven proposals to cross-functional teams and influence peers at all levels.
- An 'A' level qualification in a design-related subject (or equivalent) alongside GCSEs in English and Maths.
What's in it for you?
We’re a team. And teams work best together when they know and respect one another. Listen and learn from one another. So we offer a hybrid working model. Giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- 25 Days holiday plus bank holidays
- Enhanced contributory Pension and Life Assurance
- We offer hybrid flexible working (based in Watford)
- Save-as-you-earn scheme
- Colleague discount
- Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause, and fertility support.
About Us:
We care for our people - and we look out for one another. Everyone has a voice. We’re ambitious, but we’re inclusive, supportive and down-to-earth with it. Anyone can build on their talent and expect our support to get on.
Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required - general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.
