Merchandise Planner

Randstad Pty; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Employee discounts across brands

Clear career progression

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Randstad is seeking an experienced Merchandise Planner for the Apparel division in Australia. The role leads financial planning, range building, and inventory strategy across store and e-commerce, collaborating with Buying, Supply Chain and Marketing teams. Hybrid work from Melbourne or Sydney is available.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in apparel merchandising, proficiency in planning systems and advanced Excel, and a strong commercial mindset for profitable growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Merchandise Planning experience in apparel retail.
• Ability to manage high-volume, multi-option ranges and fast trading cycles.
• Expertise in merchandise planning systems and advanced Excel modelling.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate data into strategy.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Financial & Category Planning: develop seasonal financial plans and promotions.
• WSSI & OTB Management: manage weekly trading and Open-to-Buy.
• In-Season Trading: analyse sales trends and adjust markdowns or reorders.
• Range & Assortment Strategy: build profitable apparel ranges.
• Supply Chain & Allocation: oversee intake flow and allocation across channels.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: present insights to senior leadership.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Data analysis

Excel modelling

Forecasting

Communication

Education

Bachelor Degree

Tools

Merchandise planning systems

Job description

About the Role

Are you an experienced Merchandise Planner with a passion for fashion and data-driven decision-making? A major Australian retail leader is seeking a high-performing Merchandise Planner to join our dynamic Apparel division. In this pivotal role, you will lead the financial planning, range building, and inventory strategy for one of our core apparel categories. Working closely with Buying, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams, you will optimise stock performance, maximise margin opportunities, and drive profitable growth across both store and e-commerce channels. This position can be based in either Melbourne or Sydney, offering flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial & Category Planning: Develop and execute robust seasonal financial plans, option plans, and promotional strategies aligned with company sales and margin targets.
• WSSI & OTB Management: Manage weekly trading performance, update WSSIs, and control Open-to-Buy (OTB) to optimise stock levels and cash flow.
• In-Season Trading: Analyse daily and weekly sales trends, identify trade opportunities and risks, and execute swift markdowns, reorders, or promotional shifts as needed.
• Range & Assortment Strategy: Partner with the Buying team to build balanced, profitable apparel ranges across core, seasonal, and trending lines.
• Supply Chain & Allocation: Oversee intake flow, intake margin, and distribution strategies to ensure accurate stock depth and allocation across network channels.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Present trade insights, quarterly reviews, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of Merchandise Planning experience, with a heavy focus on the apparel category within a large-scale or multi-channel retail environment. (Essential)
• Proven track record in managing high-volume, multi-option ranges, seasonal planning, and fast-paced trading cycles.
• Expertise in merchandise planning systems, advanced Excel modeling, and WSSI/OTB management.
• Strong commercial acumen with an ability to translate complex data into actionable business strategies.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with a collaborative, solution-focused mindset.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary package + bonus structure.
• Flexible working options (Hybrid layout in Melbourne or Sydney offices).
• Generous team member product discounts across our portfolio of brands.
• Clear career progression paths within a market-leading retail enterprise.
• Vibrant, inclusive culture prioritising wellbeing, innovation, and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.