Senior Merchandise Planner

Planning; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Planning is partnering to recruit an experienced Senior Merchandise Planner in Australia. You will drive assortment strategy, profitability and growth, partnering with Buyers and the leadership team to balance creative brand vision with disciplined financial outcomes.

This role offers autonomy with a support network, cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities to influence growth decisions and shape the future of the business.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandise planning within apparel retail.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and commercial levers.
• Attention to detail with ability to see the bigger picture.
• Confident in cross-functional communication and influence.

Responsibilities

• Drive category performance and long-term strategy with Buyers and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage financial budgets aligned to objectives.
• Lead assortment planning, seasonal and post-season strategies.
• Own markdown strategy to maximise GMROI and minimise clearance risk.
• Present monthly performance insights to senior leadership.
• Set replenishment parameters to ensure healthy core stock levels.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Inventory management

Cross-functional influence

Autonomy in work

Job description

Job Description

22nd September, 2026

We’re partnering with a highly respected Australian retailer that continues to grow through challenging retail times due to a clear focus on their customer & strategy. This is a business who respects & values the role planning plays in their overall business & profitability. They are looking for an experienced, entrepreneurial, commercially astute Senior Merchandise Planner who wants more than business-as-usual. This is a role for someone who wants to shape the future of the business, influence growth decisions and be a true commercial partner to Buying and the leadership team. If you’re an experienced Senior Planner who enjoys balancing creative brand vision with disciplined financial outcomes, and you’re energised by contributing to a business in growth mode, this is a role worth considering.

The Opportunity

This business values the impact strong planners have on performance. You’ll work closely with Buyers, Designers and the wider Merchandise team to drive assortment strategy, profitability and scalable growth — with the autonomy to make decisions and the support of a leadership team that listens. As the business continues to fine tune their business model, this role offers clear scope to grow, step up and broaden your impact. You’ll be working in an environment where:

• Planners are respected as strategic thinkers
• Commercial insight is encouraged and acted upon
• Growth creates opportunity, not complexity without support

Your Impact Will Include

• Partnering with Buyers and key stakeholders to drive category performance and long-term strategy
• Building and managing financial budgets aligned to business objectives
• Developing seasonal, post-seasonal and half-year strategic plans
• Owning markdown strategy to maximise GMROI and minimise clearance risk
• Actively managing margin mix, stock turn, assortment balance and inventory productivity
• Leading weekly category performance reviews with Buying
• Driving assortment planning and range optimisation
• Setting replenishment parameters to ensure healthy core stock levels
• Presenting monthly performance insights to senior leadership
• Managing allocation principles to optimise stock-to-sales, weeks cover, GMROI and return on space
• Establishing and managing item plans across imported and local ongoing lines, optimising flow from DC to store

What You’ll Bring

• Strong experience in merchandise planning within apparel retail
• A deep understanding of inventory management and commercial levers
• High attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture
• Confident communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functionally
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset
• Comfort working autonomously while thriving in a collaborative team environment
• A genuine desire to contribute, grow and make a meaningful impact

Why This Role Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a business on the front foot, where your thinking, insight and decisions will directly shape growth & strategy. If you’re a Senior Planner ready to step into a role with influence, momentum and future pathways, we’d love to have a conversation.