Manager Buying Merchandising & Allocation (m/f/d)

BIRKENSTOCK; Köln; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

BIRKENSTOCK, Köln-based, is seeking a Merchandise Planner/Buyer to drive assortment planning and inventory optimization. You will create purchase orders, manage launches, and forecast monthly product intakes in line with sales targets.

This role requires strong numerical skills and a proactive, structured workflow in a fast-moving fashion environment. You will collaborate with Product Buying, Online Operations, and Marketing to ensure smooth execution and optimal product availability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Merchandise Planning, Buying or a similar Sales function.
• Hands-on, proactive and self-motivated approach to work.
• Structured and organized way of working.
• Strong affinity for numbers and an analytical mindset.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Create purchase orders and replenishment call-offs for DTC POS
• Manage launches and campaigns to ensure assortment availability and inventory utilization
• Plan and forecast monthly product intakes in line with sales targets and business needs
• Analyze product performance and prepare regular reports at both POS and product level
• Plan, analyze and optimize product flows and POS performance KPIs, with a strong focus on improving product efficiency and availability
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across Product Buying, Online Operations, and Marketing to align planning and ensure smooth execution

Skills

Merchandise planning

Buying

Analytical mindset

Fluent in English

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 7100 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe. The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create purchase orders and replenishment call-offs for DTC POS
• Manage launches and campaigns to ensure assortment availability and inventory utilization
• Plan and forecast monthly product intakes in line with sales targets and business needs
• Analyze product performance and prepare regular reports at both POS and product level
• Plan, analyze and optimize product flows and POS performance KPIs, with a strong focus on improving product efficiency and availability
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across Product Buying, Online Operations, and Marketing to align planning and ensure smooth execution

YOUR PROFILE

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Merchandise Planning, Buying or a similar Sales function - preferably within the fashion/ lifestyle industry
• Hands-on mentality and a proactive, self-motivated approach to work
• Structured and organized way of working
• Strong affinity for numbers and an analytical mindset
• Confident in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and formulas
• Fluent in English

WE OFFER

BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast growing, global company: dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities. Sounds exciting? It is.