Overview
EMEA Site Merchandiser Apprentice
Start Date: September 2026
Apprenticeship: Level 6
**Placement length: **2.5 years
Come build community, explore your passions and do your best work at Microsoft with thousands of Apprentices from every corner of the world. This opportunity will allow you to bring your aspirations, talent, potential—and excitement for the journey ahead.
As the EMEA Xbox Hardware Site Merchandiser Apprentice, you'll be responsible for assisting the Xbox Site Merchandising Lead in planning, executing, and optimizing how Xbox consoles, controllers, headsets, and accessories show up across Microsoft’s Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) web experience. This role ensures operational excellence across content setup, merchandising execution, promotions, and daily storefront updates. This merchandiser supports GTM activations, ensures accuracy and quality in all hardware-related content, performs detailed QA, and helps identify opportunities to improve the hardware customer journey across EMEA markets.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. As employees they come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realise their shared goals. Each day they build on their values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
1. Assist with Xbox Hardware Go-to-Market Execution
- Support in preparing and executing launches for Xbox consoles, bundles, controllers, and accessories.
- Localize and implement global GTM direction into EMEA storefront assets and placements.
- Maintain awareness of hardware release calendars, product changes, and stock updates, escalating issues as needed.
2. Day-to-Day Storefront Operations & Content Management
- Assist by owning day-to-day operational tasks, including product setup, content publishing, and CMS updates.
- Support creation and maintenance of EMEA‑specific collections, navigation modules, and category pages for Xbox hardware.
- Conduct detailed QA across markets to ensure accuracy in pricing, availability, specs, images, and messaging.
- Flag errors, misalignments, and customer‑impacting issues to the Merchandising Lead for resolution.
3. Pricing & Promotions Support
- Support setup and validation of Xbox hardware promotions across key events (Black Friday, Holiday, Spring Sale, etc.).
- Ensure promotional messaging, discounting, and offer structures follow EMEA guidance.
- Perform thorough QA pre-, during-, and post‑promotion to ensure flawless execution across markets.
4. Customer Journey Insights & Experience Improvement
- Monitor EMEA customer feedback related to console and accessory buying experiences (e.g., clarity of specs, compatibility confusion, PDP performance).
- Provide insights and data back to help inform enhancements or UI/UX improvements.
- Assist with A/B test execution by gathering screenshots, documenting results, and supporting operational setup.
5. Operational Excellence & Documentation
- Maintain up-to-date documentation for product setups, merchandising flows, promo readiness, and GTM publishing checklists.
- Track weekly changes, updates, and issues to provide operational clarity.
- Support in preparing inputs for category reviews, performance discussions, and site readiness meetings.
**6. Cross-Functional Coordination **
- Partner with key teams—including Category, Marketing, Pricing, Creative, and Engineering.
- Help manage workflows by gathering required assets, tickets, content requests, and approvals.
- Act as an execution partner, ensuring Microsoft’s strategy is delivered consistently across all EMEA markets.
Being a Microsoft Apprentice:
As a Microsoft Apprentice, you will have the opportunity to start your career early, earn while you learn, and gain valuable experience. Microsoft believe in providing real responsibility from the outset, with an employment contract for the full duration of your apprenticeship. You will be an integral part of the team, contributing to meaningful projects and initiatives to drive impact.
What to Expect:
Support and Guidance: You will be fully supported by an apprentice buddy, your manager, and fellow team members. Microsoft managers are trained and ready to support you throughout your apprenticeship programme.
Learning and Development:** **You will spend time away from your job training and growing your knowledge, which you will then apply to your day-to-day role. You will complete work-
based assignments and participate in modules aligned with your job responsibilities.
Community and Inclusion: You will be part of a vibrant and inclusive apprentice community. You will have opportunities to give back through Microsoft's community programmes and Employee Resource Groups.
Career Growth:** **At Microsoft, they are committed to your growth and development. You will have access to industry-leading innovation and resources to help you succeed in your role and beyond.
Join Microsoft and develop skills that will pave the way for a successful career – Apply now!
Qualifications
Requirements
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must not have a degree, however, you should have:
Obtained suitable level 3 qualifications by 31st August 2026 (3 A-levels with grades A*-C, BTEC Nationals, T Levels, or equivalent).
Obtained 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, with grades A*-C or 9-4 on the new grading system.
You need to be legally authorised (have citizenship or a valid visa/work permit) to work in the UK to be eligible for this role.
**Related Competencies **
Analytical Problem Solving – Shows an ability to spot patterns, break down challenges into clear, simple steps, and approach tasks in a structured way. Stays focused on finding practical solutions to realworld problems and improving how things are done.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration – Works well with people across different teams, functions, or partner organisations. Comfortable building relationships beyond their immediate area and contributing to shared goals
Building Customer and Partner Relationships – Able to develop positive, trusted relationships with customers, partners, or internal stakeholders. Takes time to understand their needs and how their business works to support strong, longterm partnerships.
Global Process Management – Shows an interest in learning how global processes work and how to follow them efficiently. Keeps the end customer in mind and contributes to smooth, consistent ways of working across teams and locations.
**Desired Skills and Abilities **
Shows developing analytical skills and a willingness to learn how to work with data
Develops the ability to use AI tools to support work tasks and sharing learnings to help upskill the wider team
Approaches tasks with strong attention to detail
Demonstrates enthusiasm, determination, and a strong work ethic
Enjoys exploring data and learning how to turn insights into clear, simple stories
Has a genuine interest in products and how they succeed in the market
Builds positive relationships and works well with others
Communicates clearly and enjoys collaborating as part of a team
Adapts well to a fastpaced, changing environment
Comfortable using Excel and eager to grow technical skills
#EIP #MCAPS
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about **requesting accommodations.**