Junior Merchandiser na Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Junior Merchandiser

Reporting To: Senior Merchandiser

Location: Hybrid 

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 40

Who are Bird & Blend Tea Co.? 

Bird & Blend Tea Co. is an eco-conscious, people-focused, award-winning & B Corp-certified Tea Mixology company on a mission to spread happiness & reimagine tea!

Bird & Blend was set up & is run by Krisi & Mike, who met whilst studying Politics (of all things!) at university. 

Building Bird & Blend from scratch while staying true to their ethos & values has been Krisi & Mike’s passion for over 10 years.

From the early days of packing tea in their bedroom & attending markets, to now, with an awesome team, multiple retail stores & a thriving international online store, Bird & Blend is leading the way in tea innovation in the UK.

Bird & Blend has grown out of a core belief in doing business in a better way. This is ultimately our why - it’s why we are in business & what we believe in. Of course, we want to welcome as many people as possible into our Magical World of Tea but fundamentally it’s what we care about other than great tea that makes us magical.

You can read heaps more information about us and our mission here: https://www.birdandblendtea.com/pages/our-story 

About this Role:
As our Junior Merchandiser, you'll play a vital role in supporting and executing our merchandising strategy - sitting at the heart of our trading, planning, and stock operations. Positioned between the Merchandising Assistants and the Senior Merchandiser, this role is ideal for someone with experience in merchandising who is ready to take more ownership of category performance, trading insights, and cross-functional coordination.

You’ll be responsible for managing selected product categories, overseeing day-to-day trading activity, and ensuring the right stock is in the right place at the right time. Working closely with the Senior Merchandiser, you’ll support wider planning cycles, seasonal reviews, and campaign execution contributing to the commercial success of both core and seasonal ranges.

This role combines analytical skill with commercial thinking, providing a key stepping stone in the merchandising career path.

Key Responsibilities

Category Ownership & Stock Management

• Take ownership of designated product categories, managing stock flow, availability, and performance across all channels.
• Monitor rate of sale, cover levels, and stock turn to drive replenishment decisions and flag risk or opportunity areas.
• Collaborate with the Buying and Operations teams to ensure accurate intake planning, product onboarding, and production scheduling that aligns with launch plans.
• Monitor and analyse branch stock levels and adjust allocations to drive turnover and reduce risk, collaborating with the Merchandising Assistants to maintain efficient replenishment flows across stores.
  
  

Trading & Reporting

• Lead weekly reporting for your categories, tracking KPIs, highlighting trends, and recommending actions to the Senior Merchandiser.
• Support in trading meetings with clear data-driven insights, helping shape decisions on exit plans, transfers, and rebuys.
• Track the performance of campaigns and new product launches by channel & branch, reporting results and sharing learnings with key stakeholders.
• Help maintain accurate forecasting inputs for seasonal and day-to-day product demand.
  
  

Planning Support & Commercial Input

• Contribute to the range planning process, providing historical performance insight and supporting category reviews.
• Collaborate with the Buying Assistant and wider Product Team to align product performance with customer needs and margin goals.
• Support the Senior Merchandiser in post-seasonal analysis and help build plans for future ranges or promotional strategies.
  
  

Team & Cross-Functional Support

• Support the Merchandising Assistants in managing administrative processes, line card accuracy, and allocation logic.
• Act as a day-to-day contact point for Retail, Ecommerce, and Operations teams regarding category stock queries.
• Assist the Senior Merchandiser in mentoring junior team members and improving merchandising processes or tools.
  

About You

• You have solid experience in omnichannel merchandising, with a growing confidence in owning your own product areas.
• You’re analytical, organised, and commercially aware, able to turn trading data into clear, actionable insights.
• You're confident working with Excel, trade reporting tools, and stock systems.
• You can balance detail with the bigger picture, always thinking about the customer, commercial outcome, and operational feasibility.
• You communicate clearly and collaborate well across departments, from Retail to Buying to Fulfilment.
• You’re curious, proactive, and ready to step into more responsibility, while still learning and growing with guidance

Are there any perks?

Of course there are, for all the hard work you will get:

• We are proud to be a Sunday Times Best Places To Work 2024 employer.
• Friendly and supportive team culture: Enjoy working alongside a team of like-minded individuals who value collaboration, camaraderie, and fun in the workplace.
• Membership of company pension scheme (if applicable): Secure your financial future with enrollment in a company-sponsored pension scheme, ensuring peace of mind and financial stability in retirement.
• Holiday accrual that grows with loyalty: Enjoy 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays ) as a token of appreciation for your dedication and loyalty to the organisation, providing you with ample opportunities for rest and relaxation. This entitlement increases with service.
• Your birthday off!
• Life Insurance & Income Protection: providing financial security and peace of mind for you and your families.
• Health Cash Plan: after one year service we will enrol you into our Health Cash Plan which will allow you to claim back money for dental, optical, prescription charges etc. Specific information on this scheme will be shared with you all..
• Life Happens Leave: Sometimes life can throw unexpected challenges our way, we offer paid leave specifically dedicated to these situations to provide employees with the time and space needed.
• Complimentary drinks and snacks: Stay refreshed and energised throughout the day with a variety of free drinks and snacks provided in the office.
• Monthly tea allowance and generous staff discount: Indulge in your favourite teas while benefiting from a discount on company products, fostering a culture of enjoyment and appreciation.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Access confidential and professional mental health support services to prioritise your well-being and address any personal or work-related challenges.
• Bike to Work and Electric Vehicle Schemes: Take advantage of a sustainable transportation option, contribute to environmental conservation, and benefit from tax-efficient savings.
• Paid volunteer days: Make a positive impact in our community by participating in volunteer activities during dedicated paid volunteer days, fostering a culture of corporate social responsibility and giving back.
• Dog-friendly office: Bring your furry friend to work and enjoy a pet-friendly environment that promotes work-life balance and companionship.
• We also have enhanced family friendly policies, offer flexible working and are always open to discussing your individual circumstances!

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all, applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the application or interview process please let us know.