Merchandise Planner

Job overview

The Merchandise Planner & Allocator is a key role with direct responsibility for efficient planning, forecasting, trading and analysis in conjunction with the Senior Merchandise Planner. The role requires a strong understanding of retail merchandise planning disciplines and experience with forecasting and order management, they will also need to possess organizational skills, a high level of attention to detail along with the ability to work within a team and independently. The role will have a direct impact on maximizing availability, sales and inventory management to meet annual budgets.

Job Scope

Merchandise Financial and Assortment Planning

• Support merchandise planning team to deliver all strategic objectives and business budgets
• Independent ownership of a full category’s end to end merchandising functions
• Assist Senior Merchandise Planner with determining revenue budget plans, in season forecasts and OTB management for the department
• Prepare sales, inventory and margin analysis for the category to ensure forecasts are inline with budgets 
• Assist in annual review process and make recommendations where necessary on range rationalization/growth

Inventory & Availability

• Prepare re-order quantities for specific category based on sales data 
• Ensure a high level of availability is maintained all year whilst working within OTB and stock targets
• Work alongside Assistant Merchandise Planner to manage stock flow from suppliers into the business to ensure availability targets are met 
• Work in collaboration with VM team to manage outlet level stock triggers for their category
• Propose promotions to maintain inventory and sales budgets 
• Analyze the effectiveness of promotions to assist in developing a long-term promotion strategy

In Season ManagementJob overview

The Merchandise Planner & Allocator is a key role with direct responsibility for efficient planning, forecasting, trading and analysis in conjunction with the Senior Merchandise Planner. The role requires a strong understanding of retail merchandise planning disciplines and experience with forecasting and order management, they will also need to possess organizational skills, a high level of attention to detail along with the ability to work within a team and independently. The role will have a direct impact on maximizing availability, sales and inventory management to meet annual budgets.

Job Scope

Merchandise Financial and Assortment Planning

• Support merchandise planning team to deliver all strategic objectives and business budgets
• Independent ownership of a full category’s end to end merchandising functions
• Assist Senior Merchandise Planner with determining revenue budget plans, in season forecasts and OTB management for the department
• Prepare sales, inventory and margin analysis for the category to ensure forecasts are inline with budgets 
• Assist in annual review process and make recommendations where necessary on range rationalization/growth

Inventory & Availability

• Prepare re-order quantities for specific category based on sales data 
• Ensure a high level of availability is maintained all year whilst working within OTB and stock targets
• Work alongside Assistant Merchandise Planner to manage stock flow from suppliers into the business to ensure availability targets are met 
• Work in collaboration with VM team to manage outlet level stock triggers for their category
• Propose promotions to maintain inventory and sales budgets 
• Analyze the effectiveness of promotions to assist in developing a long-term promotion strategy

In Season Management

• Prepare sales, inventory and margin analysis for the category to ensure forecasts are in line with budgets 
• Provide detailed summary for any revised sales, inventory and margin plans to be signed off and agreed with Senior Merchandise Planner

Job Essentials

• At least four years’ experience managing a category/sub-category merchandising responsibility 
• Experience within year end reviews and ability to present to senior management 
• Experience within Apparel, Toys or Home & Gifting 
• Forecasting skills
• Analytical skills to make commercial decisions
• Problem solving and critical thinking 
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload
• Effective communication skills 
• Ability to establish relationships, internal & external
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft office – Specifically Excel
• Project management and Budgeting skills

Job Desirable

• Experience using Power BI systems
• Experience within theme park industry