Stock Control Assistant

How would you like to join a well known retailer where your colleagues are described as friendly, knowledgeable and passionate, that work with a fantastic team spirit and enjoy customer interaction with a friendly smile on their face.

Job Purpose

*To administrate a designated group of products ensuring optimum product availability at agreed company inventory levels (mainly from inventory already within the business).
*To support the Warehouse functionality and provide a customer support role to its users.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To provide administrative and supervisory support to facilitate the following –
*Maximise product availability to all stores at minimum inventory cost.
*Meet designated targets in respect of inventory stockholding levels.
*Establish and maintain effective communication with RDC’s/suppliers/head office colleagues to ensure optimum stock levels at all times and to resolve any issues relating to supply chain.
*Develop and utilise knowledge of specific product group areas to facilitate more effective demand forecasting.
*Manage warehouse goods in targets agreed with distribution for all products taking action to address problems in a timely manner.
*JDA administrations, including the investigations of queries on deliveries and invoices, particularly 3rd Party Warehouse.
*Create and circulate relevant reports and tracking documentation.
*Analyse and maintain replenishment algorithms to maintain efficient use of inventory at all levels of the business. To include company, store and line level.
*To support Stock Control Supervisors gain the greatest benefits from the system functionality to achieve their KPIs.
*Manage allocation of available stock from warehouse to store within agreed workload parameters.
*To advise and resolve specific issues 3rd Party Warehouse may generate as part of daily routines.
*To assist, support and develop the system functionality of the warehouse operation.
*To be the in house expert on the replenishment and warehousing system.
*Assist with any other duties when required to ensure the smooth running of the category.
*To support the delivery of specific strategic and tactical projects for the business.

Mental Demands/Communication and Contracts
*Ability to respond quickly and effectively to change and to prioritise task in order to meet deadlines.
*Demonstrates the ability to make judgements quickly based on fact.
*Ability to recognise and be sensitive to the needs of team members and to build trust and respect within the team.
*Ability to generate and build confidence and rapport with 3rd Party Warehouse.
*Demonstrate a proactive approach to role and responsibilities.
Knowledge and expertise
*Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to handle large amounts of information.
*Experience at a junior management level.
*Computer Literate (must have strong Excel skills).
*Numerate.
*Team player with good communication and inter-personal skills.
*A can do positive attitude.
*Aptitude to training and supporting colleagues.
*Project management experience.

Additional Experience
*Knowledge of merchandise management system.
*Knowledge of warehouse operation and systems.
*Strong retail background.
*Able to demonstrate forecasting and demand planning.
*Able to demonstrate a commercial understanding.

Flow & capacity management
*Manage seasonal impacts on product mix, ranging and replenishment levels
*Liaise with Leggetts re volumes into depot/volumes out of depot to ensure a smooth throughput
*Forecast in advance key stock holding peaks
*Liaise with Leggetts to ensure fast-tracking and pick priority as required
*Develop and maintain multiple warehouse channels to effectively and efficiently maximise stock availability

Project Management
*Challenge current business process and system functionality
*Develop project specification and scope
*Deliver assigned projects in line to specification
*Review affects of project results and make any recommendations as required

Effective end of line clearance
*Ensure that the discontinued lines are cleared
*Recommend ways to clear any excess stock at the end of the season
*Establish a mix of internal and external clearance avenues

Board Reporting & Communication
*Establish a set of KPIs for availability reporting to include Top Selling lines, key promotions for the month ahead and key press features
*To manage and deliver specific supply chain and system projects
*Ensure that discontinued lines are appropriately recorded and provided for in the accounts
*Report on bottom 20 lines with recommended actions
*Report on lines with excessive stock days
*Produce a Quarterly Operational Summary for Board Presentation & Review

Key Skills & Knowledge
*Computer literate (expert user of JDA’s merchandise management system in additional to advanced excel)
*Strong understanding of warehousing operations and supporting systems
*Numerical degree or equivalent experience
*Expert analysis and interpretation of stock functions to provide dynamic responses
*People management and leadership skills (experience of managing teams is essential)
*Retail experience/multi-million pounds and multi-site with high volume transactions essential
*Project management skills and understanding of successful delivery to end users
*Team player, can do attitude
*Strong communication skills – KPI, meetings and written reports to board level
*Accurate, thorough and well organised
*Highly motivated – self starter for developing business improvement initiatives

If this sounds like you an you want to learn more about this fantastic opportunity please apply today!

This vacancy is being handled by Randstad Retail. Randstad Retail is the retail specialist division of Randstad, who act as an employment business and employment agency and are registered in England and Wales no 6438552 as Randstad Retail Ltd. Registered office address First Floor, Regent Court, Laporte Way, Luton, Beds, LU4 8SB.

In the event that you are contacted for a role, please note that as part of the registration process you shall be required to provide Randstad with proof of identity as well as proof of eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.