What is Merchandising?

Our Merchandisers work alongside our Buyers to manage a range of quality products. They support the range by securing and managing stock, whilst keeping a close eye on budgets and targets. Ultimately, they're responsible for ensuring we have the right stock, in the right place at the right time.

Join us and you'll learn how to analyse performance, create forecasts, manage huge budgets, and drive profitability as you manage stock through the stages of the critical path of production.

We have Merchandisers working across two key functions:

• Clothing - is an area of considerable growth for our business. Our F&F brand, which launched in the UK in 2000, is now sold in 11 countries worldwide and continues to be at the core of our clothing strategy.
• General Merchandise & Electronics - which covers a large selection of products including: homeware, toys, electrical, stationery and books. This function continues to go from strength to strength as we expand our product ranges to offer greater choice for our customers.

Based in Welwyn Garden City, our Merchandising teams liaise with other areas of the business, including Supply Chain, Store Stock Planning, UK & Ireland Support Office, Visual Merchandising, as well as our external Suppliers.

What will I be doing?

Your first week will be an introduction to Tesco, familiarising yourself with your surroundings, and providing you with the information you need to get started. You'll also have the opportunity to meet with your team, including your line manager and buddy. You'll then spend eight weeks on a store placement, giving you a greater understanding of how decisions made in Head Office affect our stores and, ultimately, our customers.

Once back in the office, you'll be supporting your team to set the direction and strategy for growth for your product range. Managing stock through the stages of the critical path of production, to ensure your product range gets to the right place, in the right quantity, at the right time.

Although you'll be given a great deal of responsibility from the start, you're not expected to do this alone. You'll have a great support network from your line manager, mentor, your wider team and other graduates. And you'll be given lots of training develop your leadership behaviours to help prepare you for future management roles.

Where could it take me?

Our programme has been designed to give you the opportunity to develop the potential we identified at the assessment centre to become a Merchandiser, Merchandising Manager and a future Head of Merchandising, responsible for the supply and financial success of a range.

Tesco can offer you many routes, but the ones you take are up to you. You can move to other functions, out to store management, or look to take an international opportunity. It takes time, effort and commitment to progress, but if you're hard-working and driven, no matter what your career goal is, we'll be there to support you.

What skills do I need?

We're looking for applicants who have the potential to successfully lead a team in the future. You will need to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of our business, our customers and the industries in which we compete.

To be successful in Merchandising, you'll need:

• 2.1 degree or equivalent (ideally in an analytical or numerate discipline)
• A mathematical and analytical mind
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Great commercial awareness
• Ability to manage and prioritise your workload whilst working in a fast paced environment
• A full driving licence