Trainee Merchandiser Review

My title is currently a trainee merchandiser, which will change after my first year in the programme as we get to experience both the merhandising and buying side of the process. My daily tasks include managing the kids brands, ensuring all products are due to launch on time. This includes regular contact with suppliers and meetings with my team. I partake in trade meetings to inform others of how products are performing, to see what is working for us and what possibly we should trade into more. Externally, there are opportunities to go to meetings with suppliers to talk through future seasons and phases, deciding what products the team want to buy into taking into consideration sales.

In terms of developing skills, i think the job really builds on working well with others which results in a huge confidence boost. It teaches you to be able to manage people as well as manage your own personal workload. There are training courses avaliable which you can book onto, but also training sessions that are put into place for you. So the opportunity to learn never stops within the role. The day to day job teaches you a lot of new skills, starting from general computer skills to fashion environment related abilities.

When i first started, the experience was immediately very daunting. However i started on a team that i absoloutely loved. The team were incredible at making me feel welcome and we all got on really well, which results in a really lovely atmosphere to work in. The team dynamics were really close so it was a great feeling to be able to get through the work load efficently, with the help from people you get on really well with. This in turn, has a really positive effect on the work you do. I have recently moved teams, which in itself is very challenging as i felt i was starting from the beginning again. I have learnt a lot about working alongside various individuals so i am developing a wide set of skills from working with a range of people. The work at times can be challenging, especially as some days there is so much of it, it can get pretty stressful. Overall it feels great to be working within a growing fashion company.

As a whole, Tesco is a huge business so i think in terms of my team you can feel the appreciation. In the business, you hear a lot about employees getting 'shout-outs', recognition doesn't go a miss. In meetings, a lot of the time teams get their time to speak. At times, it can be hard as we balance a full time job alongside studying for a Level 4 diploma, so i strongly believe that recognition from your line manager is required so they can support you where necessary. At times i think the appreciation can lack from your immediate colleagues as you're treated the same as all other employees, even though a lot of us are younger and inexperienced.

The programme is very well organised. There is training sessions put into place aswell as regular emails to note where you can go to book onto other training sessions. You get a buddy when you start, who is in there second year of the programme. This helps with being able to ask questions about things you are unsure of at the start.

There are plenty of people in the business to go to if you have any issues. Relationships are built continuously, especially as you have the opportunity after a year to move departments. i think the support from the programmes sponsors is really good. They always have time for you and put in regular meetings. There is a lack of support when it comes to balancing work load and college work.

I think support at times can lack from the immediate team. If the team you are working in has never had an Enspire colleague before, they dont understand what is expected from us and how much work we also have to complete for college. HR were really supportive at the beginning but not so much now.

The salary for this programme is good. I feel people who have relocated struggle to cover all of their costs.

The business promotes a few opportunities outside of work however there are not too many.

Yes

It is a friendly place to work with exceptional opportunities. If you dont enjoy one area of the business, there is plenty of room to grow and try out other areas.

Make sure you read up of the roles and research into what the roles expect from you so you have a good understanding of the job. I would like to have been told more about what i would be doing on a day to day basis.