merchandise planner

HR Partners; The Hills Shire Council; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad is seeking an experienced Merchandise Planner to own the end-to-end financial planning for a high-volume apparel category within a leading Australian retail network. You will partner with Buyers and Designers to optimize stock, drive sales, and maximize gross margin across a large store footprint.

You will build top-down and bottom-up financial plans, manage Open-to-Buy (OTB), monitor weekly performance, and work with cross-functional teams to keep schedules on track from concept to

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Merchandise/Category Planning in high-volume retail.
• Proven ability to manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) and range planning.
• Strong numerical, analytical, and data modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Build top-down and bottom-up financial plans with OTB targets.
• Establish option plans and depth ratios for range creation.
• Monitor weekly sales and stock flow, drive markdowns as needed.
• Collaborate with Buyers, Design, and Supply Chain to maintain critical-path schedules.
• Conduct post-season reviews and KPI analysis to refine strategies.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Data modelling

Analytical skills

Forecasting

Tools

Merchandise planning systems

Job description

Are you an experienced Planner looking to take ownership of a high-volume apparel category within one of Australia’s largest retail networks?

We are seeking a commercially minded Merchandise Planner to join a household-name retail brand. Partnering closely with Buyers and Designers, you will own the end-to-end merchandise financial planning, range frameworks, and in-season trading strategies to optimize stock, drive sales, and maximize gross margin across a large-scale store footprint.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial & Range Planning: Build top-down and bottom-up financial plans, setting Open-to-Buy (OTB), sales, margin, and intake targets.
• Option Frameworks: Establish balanced option plans and depth ratios to guide Buyers in range creation and buy sign-offs.
• In-Season Trading: Monitor weekly sales, manage stock flow, execute strategic markdowns, and re-forecast demand to optimize inventory metrics.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Buyers, Design, and Supply Chain teams to maintain critical path schedules from concept to shelf.
• Performance Analysis: Conduct post-season reviews and track KPI performance to continuously refine future category strategies.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of experience as a Merchandise Planner or Category Planner, ideally within a high-volume retail or fast-paced apparel environment.
• Proven track record managing a sizeable SKU/option desk and executing end-to-end OTB management.
• Strong numerical & analytical skills, with advanced proficiency in merchandise planning systems and data modeling.
• A proactive, collaborative mindset with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to challenge commercial decisions constructively.

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.