Merchandising Analyst (Ambient)

Vacancy Introduction

Come and join our team!

We’re looking for a Merchandising Analyst to join our Commercial team on a 12-month secondment. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to develop new skills and gain hands-on experience in food retail merchandising and commercial analysis.

You don’t need previous experience in merchandising or analysis. What matters is your curiosity, attention to detail and willingness to learn. You’ll be supported to develop your knowledge of merchandising systems, commercial reporting and how product ranges are planned, implemented and reviewed across our stores.

Working closely with Commercial Managers and colleagues across Commercial, Supply Chain and our stores, you’ll play a key role in supporting range reviews, promotions, planograms and the analysis of product performance.

Based at our Central Support Offices at Wherstead Park, in Ipswich, with a minimum of three days per week on-site, this is an opportunity to step into something new, build your commercial capability and gain valuable experience within a busy retail environment.

Want to know more? Take a look at our job description attached to the bottom of this webpage.

Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.

What you’ll be doing

• Support range reviews by preparing and updating shelf layouts and planograms. 
• Work with Commercial Managers to understand store needs and product performance. 
• Publish planograms and support their implementation across our stores. 
• Assist with the planning and delivery of promotions across assigned product ranges. 
• Review performance data and feedback from stores to identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Maintain accurate merchandising information across systems and reports. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Commercial, Supply Chain and Store teams. 
• Develop confidence using merchandising systems and commercial reporting tools.

The person we are looking for 

We’re looking for someone who is curious, organised and keen to learn. You may already have experience working with data, systems or reports, or you may simply be interested in understanding how commercial decisions influence what customers see and buy in our stores.

You’ll have:

• A genuine willingness to learn and develop new technical and commercial skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and an organised approach. 
• Confidence working with numbers, reports or systems. 
• Good communication skills and the confidence to ask questions and build relationships. 
• A collaborative approach to working with different teams. 
• A positive attitude and the motivation to take on something new. 
• The ability to work on-site at Wherstead Park a minimum of three days per week. 

Previous merchandising or analytical experience isn't essential - we'll support you to learn.

Perks of the job

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?  

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Stream®
• Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
• Employee Assistance Programme

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace - perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.