PM: Planning Merchandiser

Laura Ashley, the international Home Furnishings and Fashion lifestyle retailer are currently recruiting for an experienced Planning Merchandiser with a Home Furnishings focus, with some exposure to Fashion.
The purpose of the role is to plan and trade the department strategy, which will potentialise store, mail order and internet performance.
You will control the branch merchandising process in order to satisfy specific store/mail order/internet requirements and manage the store portfolio, ensuring that stock is optimised, so as to maximise profits.

We are looking for an individual with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels. You will also need to be a strong and flexible team player, able to work effectively cross-functionally.

The suitable candidate will have proven merchandising experience within a retail environment and will have excellent numerical and analytical skills.
You will need to be PC literate to an intermediate level on PowerPoint and Word and an advanced level on Excel with effective planning and organisational skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

If you are interested in the above vacancy please send your CV and a covering letter, along with your current salary/package details, quoting the job reference code to careers@lauraashley.com.
Please note that due to the volume of applications only suitable candidates will be contacted.

NB: Applications from recruitment agencies will NOT be accepted.

SAHF: Senior Allocator – Home Furnishings

This exciting new role provides an ideal opportunity for an existing Allocator to join our Home Furnishings Merchandising team. We are seeking a motivated individual with proven merchandising experience with a high street retailer who is keen to progress in their career.

This role is responsible for satisfying branch stock requirements using the critical path and branch merchandising, in order to maximise potential store performance and achieve stock targets.

You will need to be a good communicator with excellent analytical, numerical and organisational skills. The ability to work in a team is essential.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy please send your CV and a covering letter to careers@lauraashley.com.Please note that due to the volume of applications only successful candidates will be contacted.

MA: Marketing Assistant

Laura Ashley, the international Home Furnishings and Fashion lifestyle retailer, are recruiting for a Marketing Assistant to join their busy team.

The suitable applicant will be responsible for assisting the Marketing Manager in compiling campaign analysis and store communication. You will also provide support in the administrative aspects of various other projects.
You will project manage launch ticketing and home furnishings product specific marketing from graphics briefs to in-store delivery.

You must be highly motivated with excellent interpersonal skills as this position will require you to liase with numerous external companies along with internal colleagues at all levels. It is essential that you are extremely organised with good time management skills and have the ability to see projects through to completion within a set deadline.

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level, be PC literate and, ideally, have marketing experience or a strong desire to advance in this field.

SAF: Senior Allocator – Fulham, London

This exciting new role provides an ideal opportunity for an existing Allocator to join our Fashion Merchandising team. We are seeking a motivated individual with proven merchandising experience with a high street retailer who is keen to progress in their career.

This role is responsible for satisfying branch stock requirements using the critical path and branch merchandising, in order to maximise potential store performance and achieve stock targets.

You will need to be a good communicator with excellent analytical, numerical and organisational skills. The ability to work in a team is essential.

If you would like to apply for this vacancy please send your CV and a covering letter to careers@lauraashley.com.Please note that due to the volume of applications only successful candidates will be contacted.

Regional Manager (East Anglia)

Laura Ashley, the international Home Furnishings and Fashion lifestyle brand, is seeking a Regional Manager to join our Retail Operations team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a professional, efficient and dynamic Regional Manager or experienced store manager. Extensive travel across the region will be required and occasional overnight stays.

The successful applicant will be responsible for maximising the sales performance and profitability of all stores within the region, meeting budgetary targets to minimise costs and shrinkage, and maintaining high visual and customer service standards at all times.

You must be customer focused and results driven with proven success in meeting stock, sales and profit targets. Excellent interpersonal skills are required to recruit, motivate, train and develop a high calibre management team.

If you wish to apply for this vacancy, please send your c.v. and a covering letter quoting your current salary and benefit details to: careers@lauraashley.com.

Closing Date: Friday 6 November 2009

Please note that applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

HEAD OF DESIGN SERVICE

Laura Ashley, the international Home Furnishings and Fashion lifestyle brand, is seeking an experienced Interior Designer to develop the Laura Ashley Design Service.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, efficient and commercial Interior Designer to expand our Design Service business in the U.K., the Republic of Ireland and France.

Reporting to the Joint Chief Operating Officer, this role is responsible for ensuring that all Design Service customers receive a professional interior design service, inspirational designs and exceptional customer service.

Ideally based in London, the successful applicant will lead Laura Ashley’s Interior Designers and Design Service support teams. Applicants must have a successful background in interior design with proven selling, customer service and commercial skills. The ability to manage our customer support centre, which is dedicated to supporting our Design Service customers and our Interiors Designers, is a key requirement of this role. Excellent interpersonal and managerial skills are essential to coach and motivate an office and a field-based team. Knowledge of contact centre systems would be advantageous. Results focussed, it will be your responsibility to drive sales and profitability, control costs, develop effective administrative processes and ensure that your team meets deadlines and targets.

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please send your c.v. and a covering letter quoting your current salary and benefit details to: careers@lauraashley.com.

Closing Date: Friday 6 November 2009

Please note that applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

E-Commerce Senior Project Manager

Laura Ashley, the international Home Furnishings and Fashion lifestyle brand, is seeking an experienced e-commerce specialist to take the Laura Ashley internet business to the next level.

Based at our Head Office in Fulham, the objective of this role is to identify and implement changes to our internet site which will increase sales and enhance our customers’ experience online.

Applicants must have an in-depth understanding of how to develop effective and cost efficient e-marketing campaigns. Leading a small team, you must also possess the interpersonal skills which will enable you to work with all parts of the business to promote the Laura Ashley website.

The successful applicant will have a deep understanding of the technical background of a successful website, a proven record of success in e-marketing and sound experience in all forms of search activity (paid and natural).

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please send your c.v. and a covering letter quoting your current salary and benefit details to careers@lauraashley.com.
Closing Date: 30 October 2009
Please note that applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

ID: Interior Designer(s)

We are currently recruiting for innovative and creative Interior Designers to join our Design Services team. Positions are available in the following locations:

• Cheshire/North Wales – base store Chester
• Midlands Region – base store Northampton
• South Coast – base store Winchester

The Interior Designer is in the forefront of Laura Ashley’s home visit Design Service sales team, providing professional and inspiring designs that are tailored to meet each customer’s individual tastes and requirements. The sales performance of the Design Service is directly dependant upon the performance of the in-home design sales team.

The successful applicant will be highly sales oriented with a natural desire to provide excellent customer service, team oriented with an outgoing, engaging personality and will possess excellent interpersonal skills. Flexible and reliable, you must be meticulous and precise in your work. It is essential that applicants have an interior design qualification, or significant experience in design-led sales. As you will be visiting customers in their homes, a full manual driving licence is required.

Please remember to state the location of the position you are applying for and send your CV and a covering letter to careers@lauraashley.com.