Merchandise Planner

Ralph Lauren; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global lifestyle brand in London is seeking an operations leader to oversee department trade and inventory management. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience in planning tools. You will lead a team, ensuring performance by empowering team members and providing clear communication. A background in retail and effective mentoring skills is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems.
• Effective communicator able to convey messages clearly.
• Solution-oriented with an entrepreneurial attitude.

Responsibilities

• Leads department trade and takes necessary actions to impact business.
• Oversees inventory management process and assesses associated risks.
• Coaches and trains team to enhance effectiveness.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Effective communication

Autonomous work

Logical analysis

Problem-solving

Microsoft Excel expertise

BI reporting tools

Time management

Resilience

Mentoring

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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operation/Financial
* Leads department trade and can take necessary actions. Showing awareness of impact to topline business
* Drives channel performance and availability
* Drives and optimises line card process and communicates impacts to department KPI's to key stakeholders
* Accountable for WSSI management and understands brand positioning and department impact to total channel WSSI
* Works alongside key stakeholders to support the formulation of the category long term forecast.
* Oversees inventory management process, critically assessing long and short term risks & opps against department EOH stock targets and average stock turn, and influencing key stakeholders to implement solutions
* Accountable for hindsight process and successfully delivers the strategy.
* Leads OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI's through optimising buying strategies and OTB management, demonstrating flexibility in approach to maximise opportunities
* Accountable for overseeing seasonal markdowns
* Works efficiently & sets department priorities Commercial Awareness
* Utilises knowledge of brand positioning and market analysis to help shape future strategies
* Oversees regular store visits and competitor reviews. Leadership & Team
* Clearly defines and articulates expectations and sets stretch goals for the team
* Coaches and trains team, helping them to acquire the skills & knowledge to be more effective.
* Regularly reviews teams progress.
* Empowers team wellness & prioritises team psychological safety.
* Feels confident leading a team and can clearly delegate tasks.
* Actively provides candid feedback to individual team members to improve performance
* Identifies talent within own team and proactively devotes time to developing talent
* Addresses underperformance and supports those in need of development
* Builds a sense of shared ownership of responsibility within the team Communications & Partnerships
* Creates and maintains strong working relationships within key stakeholders.
* Aligns and updates stakeholders on strategies & business goals
* Manages cross-functional projects and processes, leveraging key stakeholder's knowledge
* Delivers on process and efficiency optimisation

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems
* 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'
* Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
* Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude
* Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
* Can confidently and respectfully challenge others opinions
* Demonstrates self-Awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
* Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
* An expert in using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
* Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
* Attention to detail.
* Regularly recognises & praises good work.
* Leads by example & shows desire to mentor junior members.
* Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product