Senior Merchandise Planner

Perri Cutten; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount benefits

Free onsite parking

Work from home Fridays

Professional development

Competitive salary

Job summary

Perri Cutten, part of the Austin Group, is seeking a Senior Merchandise Planner to drive commercial performance across the business. You will lead planning, forecasting and stock management, partnering with key stakeholders to maximise sales, margin and inventory productivity.

Reporting to the General Manager, the role blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution and offers the chance to influence product direction and promotional planning across multiple brands in Australia.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in merchandise planning within a retail environment.
• Proven success managing merchandise plans, inventory and financial performance.
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Advanced planning, forecasting and stock management skills.
• Experience working with Fashion ERP systems such as Apparel 21 or similar.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• High attention to detail and exceptional organisational skills.
• Experience within fashion apparel retail will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage seasonal and annual merchandise plans
• Lead range planning in partnership with the General Manager
• Manage Open to Buy (OTB), stock flow and inventory investment
• Oversee assortment planning, allocation and replenishment strategies
• Drive sales, stock turn, sell‑through and gross profit performance
• Manage markdowns, clearance strategies and stock lifecycle management
• Forecast and manage the Perri Cutten BSR merchandise program
• Analyse trading performance and provide actionable recommendations
• Lead weekly trade meetings and communicate key performance insights
• Ensure marketing and promotional events are supported by appropriate stock levels
• Oversee stocktake processes and stock consolidation initiatives
• Guide the Allocator to ensure right stock at the right location and minimise missed opportunities
• Build strong relationships across Product, Design, Finance, Retail, and Distribution teams.

Job description

At Perri Cutten, we're proud of our heritage as one of Australia's most iconic womenswear brands. We're looking for an experienced Senior Merchandise Planner to drive commercial performance, optimise inventory and support profitable growth across the business.

Reporting directly to the General Manager and partnering with key stakeholders, you'll lead merchandise planning, forecasting and stock management to maximise sales, margin and inventory productivity. This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking with hands‑on execution, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on business performance.

Other responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

Develop and manage seasonal and annual merchandise plans

Lead range planning in partnership with the General Manager

Manage Open to Buy (OTB), stock flow and inventory investment

Oversee assortment planning, allocation and replenishment strategies

Drive sales, stock turn, sell‑through and gross profit performance

Manage markdowns, clearance strategies and stock lifecycle management

Forecast and manage the Perri Cutten BSR merchandise program

Analyse trading performance and provide actionable recommendations

Lead weekly trade meetings and communicate key performance insights

Ensure marketing and promotional events are supported by appropriate stock levels

Oversee stocktake processes and stock consolidation initiatives

Guide the Allocator to ensure right stock at the right location and minimise missed opportunities

Build strong relationships across Product, Design, Finance, Retail, and Distribution teams.

About You

You are a commercially savvy planner who thrives on turning data into action. You're confident influencing stakeholders, balancing strategic thinking with operational execution, and identifying opportunities that drive profitable growth.

You'll bring:

Minimum 5 years' experience in merchandise planning within a retail environment

Demonstrated success managing merchandise plans, inventory and financial performance

Strong analytical and reporting capabilities

Advanced planning, forecasting and stock management skills

Experience working with Fashion ERP systems such as Apparel 21 or similar

Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills

Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities

A proactive, solutions-focused approach

High attention to detail and exceptional organisational skills

Experience within fashion apparel retail will be highly regarded.

At Austin Group we provide:

Competitive salary package

50% discount across GAZMAN, Perri Cutten & Cable for yourself and immediate family

Free onsite parking at our Malvern Support Office

The flexibility to work from home each Friday

A commitment to invest in ongoing professional training and development

The opportunity to help shape the future product direction of one of Australia's most recognised womenswear brands

A friendly, motivating and rewarding team environment where achievements are recognised

Who we are

Austin Group is one of Australia’s leading fashion groups—proudly family-owned and home to GAZMAN, Cable and Perri Cutten. With more than 140 stores and over 150 wholesale partners across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud of our heritage and firmly focused on the future.

For over 40 years, Perri Cutten have been dressing stylish Australian women in timeless designs that combine classic silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and impeccable tailoring.

Our Culture

Austin Group’s family-driven culture is built on our belief in authenticity, passion and always striving to ensure every interaction we have builds a truly personable relationship and delivers an experience that is beyond expected. We seek to inspire one another day in and day out with a proactive, collaborative and positive approach.

“Working at Austin Group has been a refreshing experience. From day one I’ve felt part of a supportive, collaborative, family-run business with room to grow, try new things and make a real impact in a fast-paced, energising environment.” —Jamie | Support Office

"The company is professional, supportive, and invests in its people through training and development. The product quality and brand reputation are exceptional—an amazing place to work."- Lianny | SA