Merchandise Planner (18 Month FTC) - Cheadle

Pets at Home Limited; Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet accessory retailer is seeking an experienced Merchandise Planner for an 18-month fixed term contract. In this hybrid role, you will shape the range strategy and be accountable for driving commercial success while leading junior team members. Key skills include strong strategic acumen and exceptional analytical abilities. The position offers a mix of office and remote work from Cheshire.

Qualifications

• Experience leading commercial success from range introduction to exit.
• Ability to balance sales growth, profitability, and customer focus.
• Natural leader capable of inspiring and coaching team members.

Responsibilities

• Manage WSSI to meet financial targets and communicate risks.
• Influence range architecture in collaboration with Buyers and Heads.
• Oversee sign-off processes and ensure critical path adherence.
• Champion promotional and new range launches for successful execution.
• Drive strategic stock planning to deliver availability and sales growth.

Skills

Proven experience in Merchandise Planning at a senior level

Strong strategic and commercial acumen

Exceptional analytical and numeracy skills

Strong communication and influencing skills

Job description

We are recruiting for an experienced Merchandise Planner to join our Accessories team on an 18-month fixed term contract as maternity cover. We can offer hybrid working (two days per week in the office) from our Support Office in Handforth, Cheshire. In this pivotal role, you will play a key part in shaping and delivering our range strategy, ensuring we have the right stock at the right time to maximise sales, profit and customer satisfaction.

As a senior member of the team, you will be accountable for driving commercial success from range introduction through to exit, while leading and developing junior team members to achieve excellence.

What you'll be doing:

• Accountable for WSSI management, ensuring financial targets are met and risks/opportunities are clearly communicated
• Working alongside Buyers and Heads of Department to influence range architecture, preparing and presenting range plans that align to commercial and financial strategies
• Leading sign-off processes with robust analysis and clear KPI setting to support decision-making at a senior level
• Overseeing and challenging CPA timelines, ensuring critical path adherence and effective cross-functional collaboration for seamless launches
• Championing promotional and new range launches, ensuring flawless execution and delivering "right first time" outcomes
• Owning and leading Sales and stock management across the category
• Driving strategic stock planning and optimisation to deliver availability and sales growth while protecting margin
• Managing cost-effective exit strategies, minimising terminal stock and maximising profitability
• Leading, coaching and developing junior members of the team, building capability and driving a high-performance culture

Requirements:

• Proven experience in Merchandise Planning at a senior level
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with the ability to balance sales growth, profitability and customer focus
• Exceptional analytical and numeracy skills, with the ability to turn data into clear insights and influence senior stakeholders
• A natural leader, able to inspire, coach and develop talent while fostering collaboration across Commercial, Supply and wider business teams
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills