Role purpose: The primary purpose of this role is to provide planning and budgeting to achieve the sales and margin budgets within agreed stock targets and constantly controlling inventory and sales performance. He/she is responsible for Product Plan Strategy, OTB Budgeting, Assortment Plan, In-Season Reforecasting, and Markdown Strategy. The Planner works closely with the Buyer to deal with Brands, to ensure financial targets are achieved and customer needs are met.
Key accountabilities:
- Partner and influence strategic planning and budgeting process with the Director through department/category strategies;
- Identify risks and opportunities – constantly review OTB requirements, WSSI, action repeats, cancellations, returns, markdowns and manage the key sales and profit drivers;
- Set financial standards and goals for the team and ensure consistent execution, process and accountability;
- Provide the Product Sales Plan Strategy and define the OTB for each season;
- Provide the Assortment Plan (Option Number and Depth);
- Work with Buying to deliver the best range for customers and stores;
- Plan quantities by article and related delivery date according with the plan;
- Develop and communicate supplier business/brand plans and forecasts;
- Manage the use of WSSI to deliver accurate weekly plans/forecasts/stocks, ensuring that OTB and MD are controlled and flexed to deliver terminal stock targets;
- Review the monthly intake Deliveries Plan to constantly handle critical situation, delays and obtain best efficiency on the incoming stock as per the rolling OTB process;
- Plan Seasonal Return and Cancellation as per the rolling OTB process;
- Plan and implement Markdown and Promotion in order to ensure sales, margin objective and the right end of season stock level as part of the OTB process;
- Weekly update of sales analysis in order to have clarity on the detailed sales and stock situation for each department/category/brand and provide weekly reporting to other departments;
- End Season analysis and financial planning review with Buying/Business Analysis/Allocation team in order to identify key issues to take into consideration for the next seasons plan and buy improvements.
KPI’s:
- Annual Turnover
- Sell Out
- Margins
- Terminal Stock
Core competencies, knowledge and experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Engineering, Maths, or another relevant field
- Must have extensive experience 4 – 6 years as a Planner in OTB planning, WSSI tools with a medium to large size retailer
- Computer proficiency with advanced knowledge of Excel
- Strong aptitude with numbers and clear understanding of retail math skills
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize and meet deadlines
- Ability to communicate persuasively, influentially, and responsibly across a broad spectrum of stakeholders
- Excels in team-environments and in building and developing strong interpersonal relationships, while maintaining an individual determination to accomplish goals
