Assistant Merchandiser

Ralph Lauren; Watford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Assistant Planner, where you will play a crucial role in optimizing inventory management and strategic planning. This position is perfect for detail-oriented individuals with a passion for retail and strong analytical skills. You'll collaborate with diverse teams, participate in competitor analysis, and contribute to improving working practices. Enjoy a dynamic work environment that fosters inclusion and celebrates innovation. If you're ready to make a significant impact in the retail sector, this opportunity is tailored for you.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented individual with strong analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

Responsibilities

• Assist in optimizing inventory management and forecasting.
• Maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Microsoft Excel

Retail Mathematics

Problem-Solving Skills

Job description

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
As an Assistant Planner within the Merchandise Planning team at Ralph Lauren, you will assist the planning team in optimizing inventory management, forecasting, and strategic planning to drive business performance. This position requires a detail-oriented individual with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for retail and merchandise planning.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operation/Financial
* Update reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis.
* Actualises the departments WSSI weekly.
* Attends and prepares for weekly trade meetings and able to formulate and deliver a trade message independently.
* Provides accurate data to support analysis for key seasonal meetings including hindsight and sign offs.
* Updates and forecasts department line cards to maximise sales potential and optimise stock availability across channels.
* Systematically updates seasonal recodes.
* Owns department stock delivery schedule and communicates updates to team.
* Responsible for actioning seasonal markdowns & communication to stores. Commercial Awareness
* Participate in regular store visits, collating store reports prior and assisting in creating follow up presentations.
* To undertake competitor analysis on a regular basis and present any relevant points. Training and development
* To adopt a positive and proactive approach to their own training and development as well as that of their peers.
* Proactively promotes improvements to working practices and systems.
* Participates in company initiatives as appropriate. Communications & Partnerships
* Creates and maintains strong working relationships within cross-functional teams: Buying, Allocations, ECOM and the retail store teams.
* Liaises with Assortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in the formation of the seasonal lessons learnt. Influencing future Buys, using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* Commercial and Analytical.
* Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
* Able to work autonomously.
* Able to demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
* Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well in order to meet deadlines
* Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
* Competent in using Microsoft excel
* Attention to detail.
* Show ability or aptitude in retail mathematics and able to learn technical applications quickly.
* Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods
* Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product.