Associate Merchandise Planner

Ralph Lauren Corporation; Watford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A global lifestyle brand is seeking an Associate Planner to optimize inventory management and affect strategic planning. This position emphasizes strong analytical skills and effective communication. Responsibilities include analyzing trade reports, supporting merchandise planning efforts, and optimizing sales potential. The ideal candidate should manage tasks autonomously and foster relationships within cross-functional teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and BI reporting tools is required. Join a dynamic environment that values collaboration and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and numerical mindset is essential.
• Effective communicator, able to convey messages clearly.
• Demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Optimize inventory management through forecasting.
• Support merchandise planning efforts through collaboration.
• Analyze trade reports to summarize key actions.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Effective communication

Autonomous work

Problem-solving skills

Time management

Relationship building

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Tools

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

As an Associate Planner within the Merchandise Planning team at Ralph Lauren, you will play a crucial role in optimizing inventory management, forecasting, and strategic planning to drive business performance. This position requires a blend of analytical skills, business acumen, and collaborative abilities to support the company's merchandise planning efforts.

This position requires a detail-oriented individual with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for retail and merchandise planning. The ideal candidate will be able to balance data-driven decision-making with strategic thinking to support Ralph Lauren's business objectives.

POSITION SCOPE

• 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
• Accurately forecast WSSI to reflect short- and long-term risks and opportunities to KPIs, 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 forecasts 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

• Strong analytical and numerical mindset
• Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences .
• Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to 'think outside the box' .
• Demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Solution orientated and positively embraces change.
• Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines .
• Demonstrates self-Awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve .
• Builds and maintains productive relationships within team environment.
• Competent in using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
• Regularly recognises & praises good work .
• Leads by example & is a good Associate role model .
• Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product .