Senior Merchandise Planner

Planning Talent; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Planning Talent in Melbourne is partnering with a respected Australian retailer to identify a Senior Merchandise Planner. You will shape assortment strategy, drive profitability and growth, and partner with Buying and Leadership to deliver commercial outcomes.

This role offers the autonomy to influence range decisions while aligning with budgets and GMROI targets. You’ll thrive balancing creative brand vision with disciplined financial metrics and play a pivotal part in a high-growth retail

Qualifications

• Strong experience in merchandise planning within a retail environment.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Merchandise planning

Inventory management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Job description

We’re partnering with a highly respected Australian retailerthat continues to grow through challenging retail times due to a clear focus on their customer & strategy.

They are looking for an experienced, commercially astute Senior Merchandise Planner who wants to assist in strategically growing the business.

This is a role for someone who wants to shape the future of the range, influence growth decisions and be a true commercial partner to Buying and Leadership.

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 exploring.

The Opportunity

This business genuinely values the impact strong planners have on performance. You’ll work closely with Buyers 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 expand its retail footprint across Australia this role offers clear scope to grow, step up and broaden your impact. You will need to have experience in Womens Apparel.

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

We’re partnering with a highly respected Australian retailerthat continues to grow through challenging retail times due to a clear focus on their customer & strategy.

They are looking for an experienced, commercially astute Senior Merchandise Planner who wants to assist in strategically growing the business.

This is a role for someone who wants to shape the future of the range, influence growth decisions and be a true commercial partner to Buying and Leadership.

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 exploring.

The Opportunity

This business genuinely values the impact strong planners have on performance. You’ll work closely with Buyers 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 expand its retail footprint across Australia this role offers clear scope to grow, step up and broaden your impact. You will need to have experience in Womens Apparel.

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 a retail environment
• 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;

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.