Merchandising Assistant

Come join our team of amazing people

**Cobourg Home Hardware Building Centre **is a state of the art, modern Home Hardware Building Centre with tremendous strength in products such as building materials, home décor, flooring, outdoor living and gardening products. This industry leading operation won Best Building Supply in Canada in 2019 (Hardlines ORA) and Best HHBC over 25,000sq within Home Hardware in 2018.

Since inception, our goal has been to provide our builders, contractors and DIY customers with the best possible shopping experience supported by a wide range of products and services. Our commitment to hiring and training great staff and associates has allowed us to deliver on that goal. We truly value our people and support them with programs that have increased tenures well beyond industry norms.

**We are currently seeking a mature individual with proven merchandising experience to join our team as an Assortment Planning and Execution Associate**

Reporting to the Store Manager, the Assortment Planning and Execution Associate will work closely in collaboration with the Category Management Lead, and is responsible for delivering on the key initiatives set by the management team. This includes, but is not limited to, executing major and minor in-store resets, devising long-term development strategies for product categories, tracking shipments, planning and scheduling initiatives, and implementing exit strategies for assortment changes. The goal of this role is to work with our General and Store Managers to increase speed-to-market delivery of new and innovative product offerings, in an effort to drive sustainable growth and improve market share.

The role is responsible for, but not limited to:

- Category Management:_
- Utilize reset planning guides, schedules, and resources to identify up-coming initiatives, implement clearance strategies, order new items, and execute merchandising changes
- Working with store leadership to coordinate efforts of supporting associates, conduct and oversee the execution of large-scale seasonal category changes
- On a monthly basis, execute merchandising changes throughout the store to support flyer-featured items and cross-merchandising
- Monitor inbound purchase orders and coordinate with Receiving teams to stage product prior to reset execution
- Provide regular progress updates to store Leadership and triage reset issues in a timely manner
- Maximize profitability through category management discounts and effective clearance strategies
- Work with department teams to determine overstock locations for exiting product returning to home locations
- Analyze insights and retail data to determine industry and consumer trends
- Create long-term development strategies for product categories
- Identify assortment gaps and purchasing opportunities
- Analyze customer feedback and sales performance metrics to drive best-in-class customer experiences
- Execution:_
- Maintain and adhere to planogram integrity
- Create product displays, install fixtures, and ensure pricing accuracy
- Capture SKU locations in the system and process return-for-credit authorizations
- Ensure customer traffic areas remain unimpeded and safe throughout the reset process
- Work with Office staff to trigger needed cycle counts to correct inventory variances
- Coordinate product flow to the sales floor and engage fellow associates to assist with the placement of product.
- General:_
- Follow procedures and maintain standards according to store policy in the following areas: loss prevention, receiving and pricing goods, merchandise handling and presentation, housekeeping, reordering merchandise, restocking shelves, etc.
- Attend store meetings, training sessions, etc. as required
- Operate equipment, tools, and machinery
- Assist customers on the sales floor when needed or assigned
- Always maintain professional demeanor and behave in a manner befitting company policy and expectations
- Work on additional duties, special projects, and assignments as assigned by store Leadership
- Work in a safe manner in accordance to provincial and federal safety legislation, as well as use of good common sense. Report any potential hazards and unsafe behavior to management in order to have the situation corrected
- Identify opportunities and develop process improvements as needed
- Work in indoor and outdoor settings, in various types of weather conditions

**Qualifications we are looking for**:

- A post-secondary education in business or supply-chain management is an asset
- A minimum of three (3) years experience working in retail, logistics, or customer service sector required
- Ability to understand, create, and execute planograms
- Have a “do what it takes” attitude
- Ability to manage a project from start to finish
- Excellent time management and issue resolution skills, with the ability to adjust to changing situations/priorities based on evolving circumstances
- A passion for sales and customer satisf