Planner

Primary Purpose of Role

The Planner is responsible for:

• Setting and maintaining the merchandise and assortment plans for a gender/s and class/s within the team
• Budgeting, forecasting activities and providing financial analysis to ensure that financial goals and sales targets are met
• Category and product analysis to define buy quantities
• Order raising and stock allocation
• Providing instore merchandising and display guidelines

Key Result Areas and Responsibilities

A. Financial Performance

• Establish budgets and forecast future returns using all available information.
• Contribute to the achievement of the department's sales and gross profit targets.
• Manage the costing and pricing process.
• Provide commercial analysis to inform and confirm buying decisions.
• Analysis and forecasting of sales, profits, purchases and stocks, by department and class.

B. Operational Excellence

• Analyse post season data and conduct post seasonal reviews including to develop action plans to address missed opportunities and future strategies.
• Investigate and provide analysis of business and financial challenges, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Forecast and quantify 'the Buy' in line with budget guidelines and range planning.
• Manage the buy-plan seasonally to ensure that correct flow of options is placed and quantified.
• Responsible for inventory control which includes monitoring and advising on stocks to maximise productivity.
• Provide in season product analysis, tracking & reporting of sales and inventory levels.
• Manage the delivery of robust and consistent reporting for store and brand performance and aged stock
• Supplier analysis as required.
• Additional ad hoc duties as required.

C. Brand Equity

• Manage the entire product lifecycle, advising on allocation methods to improve in-stock position and replenishment of product
• Discuss appropriate actions including markdowns, regroups, and reorders and propose strategies
• Analyse trends to ensure accurate forecasts to supplier
• Recommend and execute approved markdowns
• Review and report on markdowns and ensure these are managed to budget.
• Manage aged stock and flow of stock to clearance (timing and quantity).
• Manage tools and data which support analysis. i.e. product attributing and classification, gridding, size curves, and replenishment orders.
• Review and report on markdowns and ensure these are managed to budget.
• Assist with analysis and reporting to influence decisions and overall business performance.

D. Team Management

• Foster an environment of teamwork through facilitation of regular Team Meetings, 1:1s with direct reports, celebrating Team and individual wins and promoting other opportunities for collaboration.
• Provide ongoing professional development of Team Members including coaching, training and mentoring to ensure the Accounting Team have up to date knowledge and skills to achieve financial objectives.
• Conflict management/resolution and performance management as required.

Key Skills Qualifications & Experience

Prerequisite Skills:

• Knowledge of fashion or apparel retailing, supply principles and retail store administration procedures
• Commercial awareness in Merchandising
• Ability to observe, interpret and act upon trends in customer behaviour.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel (Advanced knowledge of databases and spread sheets)
• Excellent attention to detail with an analytical mind
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to be flexible & adaptable
• Great interpersonal skills and a team-focused attitude for getting the job done
• Excellent communication skills
  

Education/Qualifications/Memberships:

• Fashion Degree or similar an advantage

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years' experience as a planner or inventory management role
• Previous experience in the retail environment, fashion or apparel is an advantage
• Analytical mindset and data-driven; taking initiative to analyse how products are performing as well as conducting consumer research
• Understanding of inventory management within a retail environment