Merchandise Planning Manager Jobs

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ensures optimum inventory levels are maintained for each brand/category, keeping in mind store requirements as well as working capital constraints.
• Ensures identification of obsolete/slow moving stock and obtain management approval on markdowns and product discounts to ensure stock is liquidated as per retail /brand/category guidelines.
• Discusses, decides and monitors the strategic plans around the following factors (Financials; Sales, Stock, OTB, Margins, Forward Cover etc; Order Quantity, Allocation, Replenishment etc).
• Determines high-level financial goals including pre-season financial plans, in-season projections, open-to-buy management and new store budgets .
• Ensures proper coordination with the store managers and distribution centers to ensure that the goods are delivered to respective stores as per the requested quantities and agreed timelines.
• Trains and develops planning team members with an emphasis around brand/category management.
• Develops merchandise plans for all brand/categories based on insights gained from analytics, customer preference, historical trends and future outlook projected by the buyer.
• Analyses and monitors merchandise planning MIS analytics based on actual sales, sales forecasts, company order parameters, inventory checks, forth coming events, replenishment needs etc.
• Manages and updates replenishment parameters by location, store volume group as needed within season, communicates with buying function regarding inventory/replenishment as needed.
• Reviews the merchandise plans on a periodic basis to ensure profit is maximized and maintained to reach target levels.
• Communicates the plans to buying team for necessary execution and ensures effective in-season management across stores/areas (stock balancing, markdown management, stock analysis, stock vs sales performance).
• Participates in capacity planning to determine the capacity required and ensure smooth supply of products.
• Ensures excess inventory is not maintained at the warehouses or the stores and there is proper adherence to the Business Unit’s policies and procedures.
• Formulates and communicates the merchandise strategic plan to buying team for necessary execution.
• Prepares variance analysis reports of stocks and sales against budgeted figures, identify brand/category growth opportunities to minimize down trending business.
• Monitors and sets targets by brand/category for GMROII and densities to increase profitability.
• Ensures that no instances of stock outs occur on account of any discrepancy on part of planning.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Fluent in English for both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a team and other division.
• A minimum of 8 - 10 years of relevant experience with at least 6 years in planning for products preferable from retail or FMCG industry in similar role.
• Hold a minimum Bachelor Degree in Business Management, Buying, Merchandising or Accounting/Finance.
• Excellent in numbers and computer skills (especially Microsoft Office Excel).
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, attention to detail and strong analytical skills.