Merchandise Planner

Pattern; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive fashion retail company is seeking a Merchandise Planner in Dubai to manage demand planning and inventory for their European brands. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in merchandising, excellent analytical and communication skills, and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel. This role involves collaboration across teams to ensure successful planning and inventory management.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in merchandising or planning role.
• Experience in Demand and Supply Chain Planning.
• Previous experience in eCommerce channel preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive forecasting, planning, and inventory management.
• Align commercial trading functions for budget setting.
• Provide insights into forecast deviations.

Skills

Demand and Supply Chain Planning

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Commercial mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Job description

The role of the Merchandise Planner is to drive efficient and sustainable Marketplace growth through effective demand planning and inventory management for our European brands. Ensuring that sales forecasts and buy plans drive demand with a direct link between buy in and sell out. This is a pivotal role in the European Team, ensuring best practice merchandising processes are implemented in alignment with the Global strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Owns the forecasting, planning and inventory management of the European Brand Portfolio, with a focus on Seasonal & Promotional categories.
• Drives alignment across the commercial trading functions; setting annual, quarterly and weekly budgets in partnership with the Head of Merchandising & Finance. Building demand targets by brand, week, local and marketplace and inventory forecasts by line.
• Uses available data, statistical models and tools to ensure accurate stock and sales projections are maintained throughout the year. Proactively identifying trends, risks and opportunities.
• Uses trading levers such as swap and return negotiations, EOL MD management and promotional planning to ensure inventory position, revenue and margin targets are achieved.
• Provides analytical and actionable insights into forecast deviations and future implications. Working collaboratively to identify and implement solutions.
• Presents to external clients, leading discussions around Buying Strategy & Sell In-Sell Out forecasts.
• Oversees category intake, managing OTB, ordering and selection processes. Ensures optimum inventory health, with 95%+ availability on core ranges and targeted sell through on seasonal areas.
• Works closely with brands to ensure order fulfilment and supply chain efficiencies. Aligning with brand management on ordering strategies implemented by the inventory management team.
• Drives operational excellence through collaboration with key stakeholders and ownership of innovation projects. Helping with the implementation of reporting and tech improvements required to effectively trade out the European brand portfolio.
• Assists the Head Of Merchandising and Sales team in the onboarding of new brands, contributing to range selection and the forecasting of new brands.
• Management of overseas team priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years working in a multiple category/brand merchandising or planning role.
• Experience in Demand and Supply Chain Planning.
• In-depth understanding of merchandising and trading approach (RTW experience preferable).
• Previous experience working with an eCommerce channel (eg. D2C)
• Highly Commercial mindset, considering both the customer and business needs.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with strong Microsoft Office and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills
• Experience working in a client facing role
• Past experience working in a fast paced business environment