Trainee Merchandiser - 2026

About the Role:

Be Brave. Be You. Be NEXT.

2026 applications!

Ready to start your career journey? We have roles with varied start dates. Apply today if you're looking to begin soon or if you're planning for a Summer 2026 start. Don't wait—we're hiring for both!

We are opening our applications for those looking to join us on a full time permanent basis in 2026!

Merchandising - a head for numbers but a heart for fashion!

• Do you love trends and talking to people all over the world?
• Do you thrive on transforming complex sales data and inventory figures into clear, actionable insights that drive product success?
• Are you passionate about analysis, trading, managing stock, and relationship development?  We are looking for amazing people who can interpret data and use this talent to work with our Buyers and Designers to build and trade trend driven product ranges for our customers.

The scheme
You will start your 12 - 18 month training programme on one of our ‘Product’ teams - Womenswear, Menswear, Childrenswear, Home or on our Brands team (who work with a portfolio of over 750 brands).

With support from your team, you will learn the skills required to progress within our Merchandising function. Responsibility comes early and you will be looking after millions of pounds worth of stock from day one!

You will receive regular feedback from your Merchandise team who will coach and develop you throughout the scheme, supporting you in reaching your goals.

Once you are ready to take the next step you will be promoted to Assistant Merchandiser!
Day to day you will be...

• Negotiating, ordering and managing the intake of stock from suppliers all over the world
• Updating our product systems with the correct delivery dates and shipment modes
• Reviewing historical and current sales to forecast what stock we need for the future
• Attend range building and selection meetings and use your knowledge to influence how future ranges look

It's all about collaboration and great teamwork! You will be working alongside our creative Buyers and Designers using data to influence what our NEXT product ranges look like. You will learn to trade those ranges, reacting to what our customers are telling us they love, then working with our global supplier base to get the stock to our customers when they want it.

Alongside this you will be closely managing stock levels in order to maximise sales and minimise our markdown risk, potentialising profitability.

It's fast paced, exciting, challenging and very rewarding!

About You:
Are you the kind of person who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Do you excel at juggling a wide range of tasks while maintaining impeccable organisation? If so, you might be the perfect fit for our team. We’re looking for someone who is not just a great communicator but a relationship builder, someone who can effortlessly connect with both colleagues and clients.

Your analytical skills are sharp; you can interpret data with ease and spot opportunities that others might miss. Numbers don’t intimidate you—in fact, you have a solid understanding of percentages and how they impact our goals. In our bustling workplace, your approachable nature and team spirit make you a go-to person, fostering collaboration and positivity. You’re driven and decisive, always aiming to make a meaningful impact. If this sounds like you, then you’re exactly who we need to help take our team to the next level.

As part of your application, please include a cover letter detailing the below:

• Why should Next offer you a role as a Trainee Merchandiser?
• What skills and interests do you have that relate to the Trainee Merchandiser role?
• Why are you interested in joining Next?

At Next we embrace technology and innovation, but we want to see the real you! A generic AI response won't help you stand out from the crowd and may hinder your application.

We appreciate you might want to use Gen AI to help structure your responses, and check for grammar and spelling but the content needs to reflect your unique self, your passion and your understanding of the role.

Sponsorship

NEXT has assessed the role advertised and based on current UKVI criteria, the Merchandiser/Buyer role is not eligible for skilled worker sponsorship. If you hold a Visa that allows you to complete the training, NEXT will be unable to sponsor you at the conclusion of the training, and expects that you will have alternative Immigration status to take up the role.

 

Be Brave. Be You. Be NEXT. 

 

#LI-Onsite

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.