Senior Merchandise Planner

Perri Cutten – The Austin Group; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly bonuses

Product allowance

Employee discount

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Perri Cutten – The Austin Group is seeking a Senior Merchandise Planner to drive commercial performance, optimise inventory and support profitable growth across the business. You will lead merchandise planning, forecasting and stock management, reporting to the General Manager and partnering with key stakeholders.

This highly visible role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution to maximise sales, margin and inventory productivity across fashion retail.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Forecasting

Stock management

Stakeholder management

Apparel ERP

Tools

Apparel 21

Job description

Competitive benefits and a culture that values you

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

Ready to make your mark?

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• What's your expected annual base salary?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• What's your preferred work type?

Perri Cutten, the iconic fashion house has been dressing stylish Australian women for 40 years.

Our designs offer timeless appeal, incorporating classic styling, magnificent fabrics and superb cuts.

Perri Cutten founded the company in 1981 and has become one of Australia’s most respected fashion designers and business women.

Remaining true to Perri Cutten’s founding principles of impeccable quality and timeless style.

Perri Cutten, the iconic fashion house has been dressing stylish Australian women for 40 years.

Our designs offer timeless appeal, incorporating classic styling, magnificent fabrics and superb cuts.

Perri Cutten founded the company in 1981 and has become one of Australia’s most respected fashion designers and business women.

Remaining true to Perri Cutten’s founding principles of impeccable quality and timeless style.

Perks and benefits

• Monthly bonuses for Retail Managment teams
• Generous product allowance
• Amazing employee discount
• Parking for Support Office team

Researching careers? Find all the information and tips you need on career advice.