Trainee Merhcnadiser Review

I am on a scheme at F&F which requires me to take on the role of a Trainee Buyer for a year and then take on the role of a Trainee Merchandiser for a further year. My role now as a Merchandiser is to analyse how the product is performing in our stores. I then help to make decisions as to which stores a product should be sold in and whether a product is restocked. Some people think that it’s just about working with spreadsheets, but it’s about understanding what the numbers are telling you and then forecasting accordingly. On a day to day basis I use my forecasting and analytical skills to support my Merchandising Team, ensuring that they are reacting to sales patterns and maximising profit opportunity. A prime responsibility of my role is to allocate new stock lines to stores. In order to achieve this goal I look at the past performance and consumer demographic of our stores, then build a range selecting sizes, colours and quantity. I am also working on building excellent working relationships with Distribution, Branch Merchandising and the Buyers in your department, as well as managing both our UK-based and International suppliers to ensure they’re performing and meeting deadlines.

Year 1 • Finance For Non-Financials • Tesco Technologies • Customer Loyalty • Multichannel • The Innovation Team • Discounters • Subsidiaries: New Food Experiences • Subsidiaries: Dunnhumby • UK Business Plan • Customer Service Centre • New Markets/International • Commercial Awareness/Competitors Year 2: • Decision Making • Assertiveness and Confidence • Creativity and Innovation • Networking • Managing Mind Talk • Building Your Career • Becoming A Culture Carrier • Academy Online • Public Speaking • Project Management • Making the Most Out of Your Mentor • Tesco Talent Cycle Training • Connecting with others Connecting and collaborating with colleagues and customers whilst staying true to who you are • Delivering what matters - Making the right decisions to effectively manage your time and energy • Think on your feet - Presenting yourself in an impactful way • Introduction to Leadership - Navigating the shift to the next level • Presentation Skills - Hints and tips on how to approach a presentation, a chance to practise and get some real time feedback • Developing your personal style - From backpack to briefcase: moving to being a working professional • Taking people with you - Building strong relationships by having empathy with colleagues around you E-learning: • Emotional Cycle of Change, • Plan-Do-Review, • Responsible-Accountable-Consult-Inform, • Problem Solving Together, • Rapid Action Teams, • Effective Meeting Management, • Building Customer Loyalty, • Digital, • Root Cause Analysis, • Collaboration, • Empathy, • Innovation, • Resilience, • Responsiveness

I really enjoy this programme. I didn't want to go to University and actually it has been a great decisiona dn experience i have been given here at F&F at Tesco

I feel really valued. I am always givengreat feedback, in fact our CEO said this about me, Shannon joined on our inaugural apprentice scheme last year and has been a revelation. She approaches her work with great energy and enthusiasm and is keen to learn, apply and progress. She is a brilliant team worker, leads or actively participates in team initiatives whether it be team building or fund-raising and contributes over and above her day job consistently, whether it be buddying with new starters or representing F&F outside of work, for example her work with LGBT. Above all she has a great attitude and a great personality - she brings energy to a meeting, a smile to your face and you want her to succeed because of the person she is and the passion she displays. She is a pleasure and an ambassador for her generation and the apprenticeship scheme.

As the first year i have to say that the organisation has been hit and miss at times but genreally it is really great. The structure of the 2 years has been really beneficial

I recieve a regular catch up with my provider and they alwasy ask me if there is anythig more i need to do or actaully anything more i would like to learn about

I recieve a lot of support. I am always being checked to see if i am ok and always asking questions that are answered straight away. Also with my projects at college, i recieve great support from other teams in the office and they are always available to help

Really well, i still live at home but i have a car and insurance to pay for. My salary gives me the opportuniy to save so i am able o move out.

There are always social events going on outside of work that bring everyone together

Yes

The support and encouragement that you receive at Tesco is second to none. It also means that you will be one role above people starting from university as you already have 2 years experience.

Be yourself. Tesco love someone who is fun and hardworking. They look for somehing that is different and stands out. So show who ou are and sell it from the word go.