Merchandise Planner - Faces

The Merchandise Planner will be responsible for driving sales and profitability through effective inventory management, strong planning and forecasting. This role requires a strong understanding of data analytics, market trends, consumer behaviour, highly analytical with strong attention to detail.

Product Planning

-Support the development of sales plans and OTB (Open to Buy) by collaborating with Buying, Finance, Retail, and Ecommerce teams. Utilize sales data, market conditions, and supplier inputs to help inform merchandise strategies and support profitable decision-making.

- Own and maintaining Monthly Sales and Stock Intake (MSSI) plans to ensure stock levels are optimized, helping to maximize sales and margin

- Own forecasting and re-forecasting efforts by analysing sales performance and market trends, assisting in adjusting plans to align with current business conditions.

- Conduct margin analysis under supervision to identify potential profitability improvements and highlight risks, contributing to a proactive approach to inventory management.

- Collaborate with Buying and Trade teams to execute seasonal markdown strategies, aiming to maximize sales and gross margin while managing inventory levels, considering stock aging and quality.

- Monitor and manage OTB to assist in effective budget utilization and inventory control, identifying potential risks and opportunities for seasonal trading actions.

- Support inventory management efforts by ensuring accurate stock tracking and alignment with sales and stock forecasts, assisting in allocation and replenishment processes to maintain healthy stock levels across various business channels.

- Identify and address aging stock, working to improve liquidation processes and solve inventory discrepancies to optimize stock levels.

- Conduct range planning analysis for Buying by channel, region, or store, ensuring alignment with merchandise strategy and consumer demand, and suggesting improvements for revenue and profitability optimization.

- Support adherence to the critical path by tracking key timelines and milestones, from OTB and sales plans to end-of-season actions.

- Conduct trade analysis to understand market trends and consumer preferences, communicating potential sales or stock risks and opportunities to the wider team.

- Highlight risks and opportunities on planned sales, gross margin, and inventory based on supply or demand gaps, suggesting possible solutions and actions.

- Re-planning business in-season based on performance updates and support presentations to management with recommendations during review cycles.

- Provide support to the Buying team by helping develop category assortment plans by brand, channel, and region.

Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

-Monitor key planning KPIs, such as Full Price Sell-Through, DOI (Days of Inventory), OTIF (On-Time In-Full), GM and allocation efficiency.

Team Leadership and Development

-Supervise and junior planners and Allocators, ensuring team alignment with organizational objectives +mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration

What you ll need to succeed

Professional Experience

-2+ years of experience in merchandise and supply planning, with a strong background in retail, fashion, or FMCG industries.

-Expertise in planning tools, such as Blue Yonder, SAP, or equivalent systems.

Education

-Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Additional Skills

-Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills for inventory and supply optimization.

-Good communication capabilities to manage and align cross-functional teams.

- Time management and prioritisation

-Deep understanding of OTB planning, inventory management principles, and markdown strategies.

- Excellent problem solving capbaility and attention to detail