Associate Merchandise Planner

Polo Ralph Lauren; Watford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Merchandise Planner to optimize inventory management and strategic planning. This role is ideal for someone with strong analytical skills and a passion for retail. You'll be responsible for analyzing trade reports, optimizing channel availability, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a dynamic team while developing your career in a renowned retail environment. If you thrive on data-driven decision-making and enjoy working in a fast-paced setting, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills and excellent communication abilities.
• Ability to balance data-driven decisions with strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Analyze trade reports to influence forecasting and planning.
• Drive OTB process and communicate risks and opportunities to management.
• Create strong working relationships within cross-functional teams.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Time Management

Microsoft Excel

BI Reporting Tools

Entrepreneurial Attitude

Attention to Detail

Job description

Join to apply for the Associate Merchandise Planner role at Ralph Lauren.

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.

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.

Responsibilities

1. Critically analyse trade reports, and utilise own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
2. Optimise channel availability & take necessary trading actions.
3. Own line card process and can translate impacts into department WSSI forecasting.
4. Own department WSSI to reflect short- and long-term risks and opportunities to KPI’s, communicating impacts to planner.
5. Find solutions to achieving EOH stock and average cost turn targets.
6. Lead department/brand hindsight analysis and able to communicate clearly and objectively the key learnings to relevant stakeholders.
7. Partner with buying counterparts to formulate the department forward strategy, and can communicate risks and opportunities associated to planner, beginning to suggest potential solutions.
8. Drive OTB process, utilising the forward strategies created and collaborating with buying counterparts to understand category changes that will impact KPIs, and communicating to management.
9. Oversee seasonal recodes.
10. Responsible for overseeing seasonal markdowns & communication to stores.
11. Deputise for Planner.

Commercial Awareness

1. Lead regular store visits, analysing store reports prior and presenting feedback to team.
2. Understand where RL fits within the wider retail environment through comprehensive competitor analysis, and begin to identify areas of opportunity & risk.

Training and Development

1. Adopt a positive and proactive approach to their own training and development as well as that of their peers.
2. Constantly seek improvement in processes & increase efficiencies.
3. Coach and train team, helping them to acquire the skills & knowledge to be more effective.
4. Support team in achieving their personal goals.
5. Participate in company initiatives as appropriate.
6. Participate in team wellness & prioritise psychological safety.

Communications & Partnerships

1. Create and maintain strong working relationships within cross-functional teams: Buying, Allocations, ECOM, and the retail store teams.
2. Liaise with key stakeholders to review and assist in the formation of the seasonal lessons learnt. Influence future Buys, using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.

Skills

1. Strong analytical and numerical mindset.
2. Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
3. Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to 'think outside the box'.
4. Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
5. Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude.
6. Able to organise, prioritise tasks and manage time well to meet deadlines.
7. Demonstrates self-awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
8. Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
9. Competent in using Microsoft Excel and BI reporting tools.
10. Attention to detail.
11. Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
12. Regularly recognises & praises good work.
13. Leads by example & is a good Associate role model.
14. Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product.

Seniority Level

Associate

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Marketing and Sales

Industries

Retail Apparel and Fashion