Senior Merchandise Planner: Lead Forecasting & Allocation

Accent Group; Victoria; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Accent Group's Hype DC is seeking a Senior Merchandise Planner to lead merchandising across our multi-brand footwear portfolio in Australia and New Zealand. You will drive sales, margin, stock and intake forecasting, review weekly performance and mentor a Merchandise Planner and Allocator while partnering with Buying, Retail Operations, Marketing and brand partners to turn trade into commercial action.

This role requires strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, and a strategic mindset to

Qualifications

• 5+ years' merchandise planning experience in retail (footwear preferred).
• Experience with MSSI/WSSI, Open-to-Buy, forecasting and stock governance.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven recommendations.
• Experience mentoring or leading team members.
• Excellent stakeholder management and presentation abilities.
• Advanced Excel skills (Lookups, SUMIFS, Pivot).
• Experience with FSR or similar merchandising systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of assortment planning and price architecture is advantageous.
• Clear communication, organisation and detail orientation.
• Interest in applying AI to improve processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead sales, margin, stock and intake forecasting and reforecasting.
• Review weekly trade performance and translate insights into actions.
• Direct allocation and replenishment strategies to maximise availability.
• Develop tactical trade plans to improve underperforming areas.
• Plan for key trade events across sales, stock, promotions and allocations.
• Conduct monthly forecast reviews and identify risks/opportunities.
• Lead brand and post-season reviews to inform future ranges and store grading.
• Support annual sales, margin, intake and stock budgets.
• Coach and develop a Merchandise Planner and Allocator.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Forecasting

Open-to-Buy

Markdown management

Stock governance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Excel (Lookups, SUMIFS, Pivot)

FSR systems

Assortment planning

Price architecture

Team leadership

AI-enabled thinking

Job description

Accent Group's Hype DC is seeking a Senior Merchandise Planner to lead merchandising across our multi-brand footwear portfolio in Australia and New Zealand. You will drive sales, margin, stock and intake forecasting, review weekly performance and mentor a Merchandise Planner and Allocator while partnering with Buying, Retail Operations, Marketing and brand partners to turn trade into commercial action.

This role requires strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, and a strategic mindset to