Merchandise Analyst - Ralph Lauren

Etoile Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Etoile Group is seeking a Merchandise Analyst to drive data-led merchandise planning, OTB management, and allocation across brands and categories. You will partner with Buying, Merchandising, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain and Marketing to ensure optimal product, quantity, price, and placement while hitting financial and inventory targets.

The role requires 3–5 years of retail analytics experience, strong Excel skills, and the ability to deliver actionable insights through reports and

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of proven experience in retail analysis, planning, merchandising, buying and inventory management.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in Excel and other reporting tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and agile.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Defined and supported pre-season merchandise strategies across brands and categories, including OTB planning with sales, margin, and inventory targets.
• Built and managed option plans and space planning to optimize assortment depth and store productivity.
• Delivered pre-season and in-season analysis to support buy sign-off and trading decisions.
• Monitored KPIs including sales, stock, OTB, margins and sell-through.

Skills

Data analysis

Excel

Reporting tools

Communication

Agile

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent

Job description

The Merchandise Analyst supports commercial success by driving data-led merchandise planning, OTB management, allocation, and in-season performance optimization. The role partners closely with Buying, Merchandising, Finance, Operations, Supply chain and Marketing teams to ensure the right product, quantity, price, and placement across stores while achieving financial and inventory targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Defined and supported pre-season merchandise strategies across brands and categories, including OTB planning aligned with sales, margin, full-price, Sellthru and inventory targets.
• Built and managed option plans and space planning to optimize assortment depth and improve store productivity.
• Delivered pre-season and in-season analysis to support buy sign-off, milestone reviews, and trading decisions.
• Monitored and analyzed KPIs including sales, stock, OTB, margins, sell-through, inventory cover, and productivity.
• Drove in-season trading actions such as replenishment, allocation, stock balancing, and fast/slow mover management.
• Developed data-driven allocation and replenishment strategies to reduce stockouts and ageing inventory.
• Partnered closely with Buying and Retail teams to prioritize budgets and ensure execution of buying strategies.
• Supported pricing and markdown planning to maximize margin and inventory turnover.
• Analyzed promotional performance, markdown effectiveness, and clearance activities to improve ROI.
• Prepared and delivered weekly and monthly performance reports with insights, risks, and corrective actions for senior management and HQ.
• Conducted market and competitor analysis to inform assortment planning, pricing strategies, and future buys.
• Supported online merchandising through performance analysis, pricing, and promotional strategies.
• Contributed to the enhancement of merchandise planning systems, tools, KPIs, and dashboards, improving forecasting accuracy and reducing manual reporting.
• Assisted in annual and seasonal financial planning, including sales forecasts, discount strategies, and margin targets.
• Supported feasibility studies and new merchandise planning initiatives, assessing impact on sales and inventory efficiency.

Your Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in Excel and other reporting tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and agile.
• 3 -5 years of proven experience in retail analysis, planning, merchandising, buying and inventory management.