Job Purpose:The Merchandise planner develops, maintains, analyzes and executes category level item plans for one or more departments.
The Planner is also responsible for store allocations and works directly with Buyer and Merchandise & Planning Manager to achieve strategic goals.
The position works directly with suppliers to exchange orders, sales data and item availability information.
Manage, train and monitor the Orders Clerks.Key Skills needed:Strong analytical and financial skillHigh attention to detailInventory managementSales planningForecastingExpert level skills in retail merchandising tools and Microsoft tools/applications such as Excel and OutlookMust have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and able to work with all levels within the organizationReplenishment systemTaking responsibility for development and have a hunger for autonomy and accountabilityPassionate about retail with a desire to progress through to Buyer and beyond job descriptionChain Item PlanningDevelop and maintain item sales and inventory plansRecommend changes to assortment, markdowns, markups, and to promote items based on current rate of sales and go forward plansTrack weekly sales performance and make adjustments to sales, forecast receipts and markdowns as neededReview item plans (forecasted sales and inventory) with Buyers and suppliers to ensure product availabilityReplenishment / AllocationOrder and manage inventory investments according to OTB and to ensure the right product arrives in the right location in the right quantity at the right timeAnalyze and determine allocation methods for items (Supplier to DC or Direct to Store), based on range profile, store profile and rankingUtilizing the ordering, replenishment and inventory procurement plans, review, maintain and execute vendor orders to ensure proper flow of product from supplier to all stores/DC, within given Open To Buy, Weeks Of Supply, and in stock goalsWorks directly with suppliers sharing orders, information on sales plans, performance metrics, and gathering data on item availabilityCollaborates with Logistics, Sales and Operation Team to address supply chain and system issuesAssortment PlanningMaintain and partner with Buyers in understanding of store profiles for each categoryWork directly with Buyers to ensure that assortment plans and item eligibility directly coincide with replenishment plansFinancial Analysis, Pricing / OTB PlanningResponsible for maintaining financials including Open-to-Buy planning based on the inventory procurement plansEngage with Buyers to manage current and future OTB status, identify issues and opportunities and develop strategies to optimize OTB planningDevelop financial plans with Buyers to achieve the departments annual sales and net margin goalsSKU/Product/System ManagementReview outliers, focus on items that doing well as well as those that are less successful to guide buying Liaise with Buying team on system maintenance updates and changes, which include - delistings (product and/or suppliers), price changes (sell and cost), product loading, promotions, conditional pricing, product hierarchy, supplier details etc.
Marketing/ Advertising & PromotionsPartner with the Buyers and Marketing team to review promotions and proofs all advertising before releaseProcess catalogues and insert submissions on the systemTrack shipping and local orders on all advertised items and prioritize orders for warehouse and localsTrack sales on advertised material and report to respective teamsManage the marketing ROI template by entering deals, prior and actual projectionsCommunicate all promotions related activity to store teamsLeadership/Talent Enhancement & TrainingContinuously update knowledge and skills in both technical and non-technical merchandising competencies to handle new challengesDevelop and train Orders Clerks Cross Functional PartnershipCommunication across company departments/cross functional teamsManage tasks and responsibilities within cross-functional teams and cultivate networks across divisions and functions to improve business processes; ensure honest, direct and ethics in dealing with others (Shipping, Finance, Marketing, Warehouse, Ops, HR, Store Design, Property etc.
)Desired Experience & Qualification3 - 5 years solid merchandise planning experience in retailRelevant completed National Diploma or Degree
