Overview

Join to apply for the Allocator role at Dobbies Garden Centres

We have an exciting opportunity for two Allocators to join our Plants and Toys & Rec teams (Buying & Merchandising) based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade. Your role will be to manage the allocation of stock across the UK stores and online, ensuring that they have everything they need to deliver the customer needs. You will be monitoring and analysing data trends to ensure stores receive the right stock at the right time.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery schedules, stock allocation, replenishment and outstanding order commitment for the department
• Take ownership of all line profiles, accurately set up and managed accordingly in season
• Create and maintain Purchase Orders
• Understand department financial KPI’s and stock targets
• Work with the Assistant / Merchandiser to manage WSSI OTB targets and build into the weekly replenishment parameters
• Manage stockbuild for new stores building in the correct supplier leadtimes
• Support range exit plans and reintroduction of products in season
• Carry out regular and ad hoc analysis as requested
• Support the team to update and maintain our product systems, spreadsheets and order catalogues
• Carrying out regular and ad-hoc analysis of our product range
• Create and maintain store grade tables
• Work with the online / little dobbies Merchandiser to ensure stock is available as needed
• Work with the wider Buying and Merchandising team to ensure that proactive improvements are made to hit business targets
• Improve dialogue and communication with stores regarding stock levels and allocation
• Regular visits to stores and DC to understand the customer and build great working relations

Who We Are Looking For

• Excellent organisation skills with strong attention to detail
• Highly numerate
• Willingness to learn
• Proactive
• Focussed on getting things right
• Strong planning, prioritisation, presentation and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, building strong relationships across the business
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High level of computer literacy, including Word and PowerPoint
• Advanced Excel capabilities
• Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better everyday. We bring a smile. We live and breathe gardens. We make it work for our customers.

What We Offer

• Holiday – enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time)
• Discount – generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
• Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance
• Pension – company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan
• Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan
• Access to Wagestream – financial wellbeing support, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
• Access to Retail Trust – confidential support, Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards
• Access to Dobbies Academy – eLearning and development programmes
• Study assistance – funded courses and qualifications
• Free tea, coffee, and milk
• Collaborative office space with wellbeing room, learning resources and a book swap
• Invites to our annual company conference and social events

About Us

At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK. Our passion for gardens and plants is what makes us special. We showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services, championing garden living all-year-round. Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We offer events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we support a national charity partner. We’re committed to being a great place to work and values of teamwork, continuous improvement, customer focus and a positive culture.