Planning Manager

allkinds; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Australian retail group is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to oversee merchandise planning. This role involves leading a high-performing team and driving strategic decisions across budgeting and inventory. The ideal candidate has 7-10 years of experience in multi-channel retail planning and proven leadership skills. This on-site role offers generous employee perks and a supportive team environment, promoting both professional growth and a great workplace culture.

Benefits

Generous discounts across all Brandbank Brands!

Health and Wellness initiatives

Employee Referral Program

Brandbank Day - additional leave to recharge

Dog-friendly workplace

Free breakfast and snacks

End‑of‑Trip Facilities

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years' experience in merchandise or retail planning within a multi-channel environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing planning teams.
• Strong commercial track record delivering sales growth and margin improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing Merchandise Planning team.
• Deliver end‑to‑end merchandise planning strategy including sales and margin targets.
• Oversee inventory health and develop budgets and forecasts.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder influencing

Excel proficiency

Project leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Retail, Supply Chain, or similar

Tools

Planning systems

Job description

We're currently seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead the merchandise planning function for kikki.K & Allkinds, playing a critical role in driving commercial performance across our multi-channel business.

Reporting into senior leadership, the Planning Manager is accountable for end‑to‑end merchandise planning performance, taking ownership of strategic and tactical decisions across budgeting, forecasting, trading, inventory, and channel growth. You will provide strong leadership to the planning team while partnering closely with Creative, Buying, Retail, Digital, and Logistics teams to deliver business objectives and market share growth.

The Role

• Lead and develop a high‑performing Merchandise Planning team, driving capability, engagement, and results
• Own and deliver end‑to‑end merchandise planning strategy, including sales, margin, OTB, markdown, and inventory targets
• Develop and manage seasonal and annual budgets, forecasts, and trade plans, identifying risks and opportunities
• Lead range and assortment planning, ensuring alignment to brand strategy and customer demand
• Drive in‑season trading performance through data‑led insights, initiatives, and reforecasting
• Oversee inventory health across all channels, including allocation, replenishment, and clearance strategies
• Partner with Retail, Digital, Buying, Design, and Logistics teams to align commercial and channel strategies
• Lead planning projects, systems enhancements, and process improvements to support business growth
• On‑site role 5‑days per week, based in our St Kilda Road offices

The Ideal Candidate

• 7‑10+ years' experience in merchandise or retail planning within a multi‑channel environment
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing planning teams
• Tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Retail, Supply Chain, or similar
• Strong commercial track record delivering sales growth, margin improvement, and stock optimisation
• Advanced Excel and planning system capability
• Highly analytical with the ability to translate data into clear commercial decisions
• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder influencing skills
• Strategic thinker who thrives in a fast‑paced retail environment
• Demonstrated change management and project leadership experience

Why Join the Brandbank Group team?

• Generous discounts across all Brandbank Brands!
• Opportunity to work for a uniquely Australian Retail Group with a global vision
• Supportive team culture and environment
• Employee Referral Program – be rewarded for referring great new people to our team
• Health and Wellness initiatives with access to Employee Assistance Program
• Brandbank Day – An additional day's leave to use however you like – whether it's for life admin, cultural celebrations, or simply recharging.
• You & Your Mate – Yes, we mean your dog! Bring your furry friend to work and make your day that little bit brighter.
• Sample Sales – Exclusive access to product samples at great prices – a fun and exciting benefit for anyone who loves our brands.
• Pantry Perks – Free breakfast and snacks available on‑site for a quick pick‑me‑up.
• End‑of‑Trip Facilities – Including bike stands, showers, towel service, and ironing boards for those commuting in active ways.

About Brandbank Group

Brandbank was founded on bold creative thinking. We exist to ensure that the entire experience of a brand is brilliantly designed and beautifully connected, and the customer is at the heart of everything we do. Our growing business is built on a house of carefully curated brands, each chosen for a specific reason to deliver rich connections to our customers. Brandbank Group consists of Seed Heritage, Unison, allkinds, Commonry & kikki.K.

To learn more and see all job listings, visit: https://www.brandbankgroup.com.au/our-talent/join-our-team

Please note: Brandbank Group is not currently seeking support from recruitment agencies for this role and will not accept any unsolicited candidate profiles or associated fees. We encourage interested applicants to apply directly if they would like to be considered for this opportunity.