Associate Merchandise Planner

Ralph Lauren Corporation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation is seeking a Support Planner to drive in-season forecasting, trading, and future season planning. You will work with assortment planning and buying to review lessons learned and influence future buys using data, ensuring commercial decisions are well supported.

Responsibilities include interpreting trade reports, influencing forecasting, and managing stock availability across channels.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and numerical mindset.
• Excellent communication skills across teams.
• Ability to work autonomously and meet deadlines.
• Proactive in problem solving and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Interpret weekly, monthly trade reports and actions.
• Influence forecasting and MD planning using data insights.
• Forecast WSSI to reflect risks and opportunities to KPIs.
• Lead seasonal markdowns and store communications.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Effective communicator

Autonomous

Problem solving

Time management

Excel & BI tools

Tools

Microsoft Excel

BI reporting tools

Job 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

Support Planner with in Season Forecasting, Trading and Future Season Planning, in order to maximise sales and profitability.

Liaises with A ssortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in the formation of the seasonal lessons learnt. Influencing future Buy s , using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Can accurately interpret trade reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis , summarising key messages and actions.
• Utilises trade reports and own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning .
• Analyses channel availability & can take necessary trading actions.
• Ac c urately forecast s WSSI to reflect short- and long-term risks and opportunities to KPI’s, communicating impacts to planner.
• Contributes to hindsight analysis and forward strategies , able to communicate clearly and objectively the key learnings to planner .
• Supports forecasting of line cards to maximise sales potential and optimise stock availability across channels, highlighting any risks and opportunities to immediate team .
• Oversees seasonal recodes .
• Oversees delivery tracker and amends forecast s to reflect risks and opps , demonstrating awareness of the impact to end of season stock targets, communicating this to the planner .
• Responsible for actioning seasonal markdowns & communication to stores.
• Leads regular store visits, analysing store reports prior and presenting feedback to team .
• Understands where RL fits within the wider retail environment through comprehensive competitor analysis, and begins to identify areas of opportunity & risk .

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.
• Provides support to new team members, ensuring they understand the training given & department processes .
• Supports team in achieving their personal goals .
• Participates in company initiatives as appropriate .
• Participates in team wellness & prioritises psychological safety .

Communications & Partnerships

• Creates and maintains strong working relationship s within cross-functional teams : Buying, Allocations, ECOM and the retail store teams.
• Liaises with A ssortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in the formation of the seasonal lessons learnt. Influencing future Buy s , using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Skills

• Strong analytical and numerical mindset.
• Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
• Work autonomously, results orientated and able to 'think outside the box'.
• Demonstrateslogical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Solution orientatedand positively embraces change.
• Organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
• Demonstratesself-Awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
• Buildsandmaintainsproductive relationships withinteamenvironment.
• Competentin using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
• Leads by example & is a good Associate role model.