Manager Planning

The Planning Manager is responsible for overseeing and delivering divisional level multi-dimensional planning and inventory management processes. Leading a team, the role influences and guides the execution of planning, forecasting and inventory management initiatives in collaboration with the buying team to maximize profit.

• Manage divisional merchandise plans that align with corporate strategy and deliver maximum full price sales and profit.
• Interpret corporate direction and ideal metrics to create a robust multi-dimensional plan to achieve required results.
• Build a strong partnership with merchant/buying/store counterparts, to collaborate on planning decisions and opportunities.
• Interpret appropriate levels of end of season analysis to support optimizing planning and buying decisions.
• Work cross functionally to ensure planning input is collaborative.
• Identify and implement opportunities for inventory, buying and full price sell-through improvement.
• Review and present plans and ensure cross-functional targets/requirements are shared & understood.
• Manage in season performance through the reforecasting cycle to improve inventory productivity and drive profit.
• Review and present forecasts across all relevant metrics and hierarchies to ensure a clear understanding of opportunities and risks.
• Interpret appropriate levels of in-season analysis to drive inventory recommendations & decisions including managing divisional open to buy.
• Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to follow through on opportunities to mitigate risk and drive sales, full price sell-through & profit.
• Work with Planners, Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts to manage inventory levels to maximize opportunity across the network.
• Manage approach for Demand Forecasts/Auto-Replenishment models and oversee open to buy accordingly.
• Manage markdown inventory and proposals on price reductions to drive profitable sell-through.
• Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to review and manage markdown cadence and proposed markdowns.
• Review markdown performance and manage recommendations for action to balance margin and off-price sell-through.
• Review and present carryover proposals that ensure optimized inventory performance.
• Forecast and follow-up on performance of promotional, marketing and other events.
• Manage recommendations on event activity based on inventory performance analysis.
• Propose sales and profit impacts and manage relevant inventory alignment and actions.
• Review and present analysis on event results and interpret future opportunities.
• Lead and develop a team of high performing Planners, Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts.
• Take the opportunity to participate in and champion projects.
• Collaborate with peers across planning to ensure consistent, best practice processes, systems and reporting.
• Prepare performance presentation data where requested.
• Present findings and results to cross functional audiences as required.
• Build effective partnerships with internal contacts e.g. merchants, buyers, stores, supply chain, finance, marketing.
• Manage the development of processes, systems and reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Post-secondary degree in a related field or equivalent experience (MBA or Bachelor’s degree in Business / Retail Management preferred).
• 5-7 years of post-university work experience, including 3+ years supervisory or management experience in a retail merchandise planning business unit.
• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills with the ability to get things done.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; a team player who is able to act as both a leader and an individual contributor as required.
• Confident and effective written & verbal communicator.
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and use of ERP and Merchandise Planning systems.
• Passionate about fashion and luxury retailing.