Associate - Merchandise Planner

Role summary The purpose of the Merchandise Planner role is to optimize sales, margin, and inventory by building accurate forecasts, managing OTB, and translating commercial strategy into balanced stock and supply plans across channels. It ensures the right product is in the right place at the right time through close collaboration with cross-functional teams, disciplined execution, and continuous performance analysis to drive sell-through and minimize risk. What you'll be doing Merchandise Planning: • Create & maintain demand forecast, OTB (Open to Buy) and inventory plans (MSSI) 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. • Develop stock and supply plans at the brand level, broken down by channel and brand, based on sales and buying budgets. • Oversee store allocation and replenishment parameters (excecution performed by allocators for fashion). • Prepare and input data for internal Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes, ensuring alignment across demand, supply, and financial objectives. Demand Forecasting: • Seasonal/Novelties: Challenge Buyers/Commercial demand forecasts on new products using historical data and sales performance of comparable items. • Permanent/Baseline Product: Input rolling demand forecasts, incorporating historical data, promotions, sell-out forecasts from key accounts, and network evolution. Operational Planning • Build capacity plans that account for supply chain, logistics, and vendor constraints. • Fashion: Manage markdown and liquidation plans to optimize inventory turnover and reduce obsolescence while protecting the margin. • Collaborate with vendors to maintain healthy relationships and ensure alignment on supply requirements. • Identify and address ageing stock, excecuting liquidation strategies to improve inventory health. • Validate order requests and synchronize with the Order Management team to ensure timely and accurate execution. Performance Monitoring and Insights • Monitor key planning KPIs, such as Full Price Sell-Through, stock levels, ISA (Inventory Service Availability), DOI (Days of Inventory), OTIF (On-Time In-Full), and fill rates. • Conduct post-mortem analyses of previous seasons to identify insights and best practices to inform future planning cycles. Team Leadership and Development • Manage Merchandise Planners and Allocators (for fashion), ensuring team alignment with organizational objectives. • Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and best practices in planning. ility status. • 2-3 years of experience in merchandise and supply planning, preferably in retail, fashion, or related industries. • Hands-on expertise with planning tools, such as Blue Yonder, SAP, or similar advanced systems. • Proven ability to manage seasonal and permanent product planning cycles effectively. • Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. • Strong analytical skills and attention to detail to ensure data accuracy and actionable insights. • Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work with cross-functional teams, including Buying and Order Management. • Knowledge of inventory management principles, OTB calculations, and markdown planning.