BigBasket Merchandiser Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A merchandiser in e-commerce, retail, and D2C ensures the right products are available at the right time, place, and price. Day to day, this involves planning assortment, managing inventory, coordinating with suppliers, and analysing sales data to maximise profitability. At a company like BigBasket, you might work on category management, promotions, and ensuring stock availability for online orders.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between gross margin and markdown, and how do they impact profitability?

   Explain gross margin as revenue minus cost of goods sold, and markdown as a reduction in selling price. Discuss how markdowns reduce margins and affect overall profitability.

2. 2

   How would you calculate sell-through rate and why is it important for an e-commerce merchandiser?

   Sell-through rate = (units sold / units received) * 100. It indicates how quickly inventory sells, helping in reorder decisions and identifying slow movers.

3. 3

   What are the key metrics you would track for a product category on an online grocery platform?

   Mention metrics like fill rate, out-of-stock percentage, average basket size, customer retention, and inventory turnover. Relate them to category performance.

4. 4

   Explain the concept of assortment planning and how it differs for online vs offline retail.

   Assortment planning involves selecting product mix based on customer demand. Online allows broader assortment with less shelf space, but requires efficient logistics and data-driven decisions.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   A popular product is frequently out of stock on your e-commerce platform. How would you address this?

   Analyse demand patterns, coordinate with suppliers for faster replenishment, consider safety stock, and possibly adjust delivery schedules. Also check if forecasting needs improvement.

2. 6

   You need to plan a promotional campaign for a festive season. What steps would you take?

   Identify target categories, forecast demand, coordinate with vendors for stock, set pricing and discounts, and plan marketing. Monitor performance and adjust in real-time.

3. 7

   How would you handle a situation where a key supplier increases prices suddenly?

   Negotiate for better terms, explore alternative suppliers, adjust pricing or promotions, and assess impact on margins. Communicate with internal teams.

4. 8

   If you notice that a particular product has high returns, what could be the reasons and how would you reduce returns?

   Check product quality, description accuracy, and customer expectations. Improve product listings, provide better images, and gather feedback. Work with suppliers if quality issues.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Describe a time when you had to work under pressure or meet a tight deadline. How did you manage?

   Use STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Highlight prioritisation, time management, and staying calm.

2. 10

   Give an example of a time you convinced someone to see things your way. What was the outcome?

   Show persuasion and negotiation skills. Focus on listening, presenting data, and finding a win-win solution.

3. 11

   Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

   Be honest, show accountability, and emphasise the learning and how you improved processes afterwards.

4. 12

   How do you prioritise tasks when you have multiple deadlines?

   Discuss using urgency and importance matrix, communicating with stakeholders, and breaking down tasks.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   Why do you want to work as a merchandiser in the e-commerce sector?

   Show passion for retail and online commerce, mention dynamic nature, and how your skills align with the role.

2. 14

   What do you know about our company and how does this role contribute to our success?

   Research the company's business model, values, and recent news. Explain how merchandising drives sales and customer satisfaction.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?

   Align career growth with the company, showing ambition to take on more responsibility in merchandising or category management.

4. 16

   How do you handle feedback and criticism?

   Show openness to learning, willingness to improve, and examples of acting on feedback.