New Store Inventory Planner - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

SEPHORA; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Private pension

Annual pay reviews

Employee discount

Birthday leave

Wellbeing platform

LVMH Heart Fund

Holiday allowance

Job summary

SEPHORA UK is seeking a New Store Inventory Planner on a 12-month fixed-term contract to lead inventory for new openings across the UK. You’ll define opening stock strategies, coordinate milestones with cross-functional teams, and build scalable processes to ensure every new store launches with the right stock and availability from day one.

This role offers a chance to shape disciplined planning frameworks, improve launch performance, and work closely with Supply Chain, Merchandising and Retail

Qualifications

• Experience in inventory planning, merchandise planning, supply chain planning or similar retail or FMCG environment.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, stock flow and replenishment.
• Advanced Excel skills with large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end inventory planning for all new store openings across Sephora UK.
• Develop opening stock plans tailored to store size, format, assortment strategy and objectives.
• Build and maintain inventory planning templates, frameworks and assumptions.
• Partner with Demand Planning to align opening forecasts and launch plans.
• Collaborate with Supply Planning to ensure achievable stock requirements.
• Own the inventory planning critical path for each store opening.
• Support stock ranging, sizing, balancing and ordering for launch.
• Establish replenishment parameters to support trading from opening.
• Monitor performance during stabilisation and identify improvements.
• Coordinate handover to BAU and ensure smooth transition.

Skills

Inventory planning

Merchandise planning

Supply chain planning

Excel

Stakeholder management

Project management

Data analysis

Retail expansion experience

Tools

Excel

Data analysis tools

Job description

At SEPHORA UK, beauty isn't just what we sell - it's who we are. It's the freedom to express yourself, the thrill of discovering something new, and the power of belonging to a community that celebrates every identity. From our beginnings in France to becoming part of the LVMH family, we've always pushed boundaries through creativity, innovation, and inclusivity.

The Opportunity – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

We're looking for a New Store Inventory Planner to join Sephora UK on a 12-month fixed-term contract during an exciting period of growth and expansion. As we continue to open new stores across the UK, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring every location launches with the right inventory, in the right place, at the right time.

Acting as the inventory planning lead for all new store openings, you'll work at the heart of our expansion programme, partnering closely with Supply Chain, Merchandising, Retail Operations, Property and Project teams to bring new stores to life. From defining opening stock strategies and coordinating critical milestones, to supporting stores through their launch and into business-as-usual operations, you'll be responsible for creating a seamless inventory journey from day one.

This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the inventory planning framework that underpins our future growth, driving consistency, improving processes, and ensuring every new Sephora store is set up for success.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the end-to-end inventory planning process for all new store openings across Sephora UK.
• Develop opening stock plans tailored to store size, format, assortment strategy, fixture capacity and commercial objectives.
• Build and maintain inventory planning templates, frameworks and assumptions to create a scalable and repeatable new store process.
• Partner closely with Demand Planning to align opening forecasts, trading assumptions and launch plans.
• Collaborate with Supply Planning teams to ensure stock requirements are operationally achievable and risks are identified early.
• Own the inventory planning critical path for each store opening, ensuring key milestones are delivered on time.
• Support stock ranging, sizing, balancing and ordering activities to ensure strong availability for launch.
• Establish initial replenishment parameters and inventory settings to support successful trading from opening.
• Monitor store performance during the stabilisation period, reviewing sales, stock cover and availability to identify improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate the handover of stores into business-as-usual ownership, ensuring a smooth transition into ongoing inventory management.
• Drive continuous improvement across new store planning processes, reporting and tools.
• Maintain clear documentation of planning assumptions, decisions, risks and handover criteria.

What You'll Bring…

You'll be a highly organised and commercially minded planner who enjoys bringing structure to complex projects and collaborating across multiple teams. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, you'll combine strong analytical skills with excellent stakeholder management to ensure every new store opening is delivered successfully.

• Experience in inventory planning, merchandise planning, supply chain planning or a similar retail or FMCG environment.
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles, stock flow and replenishment processes.
• Excellent analytical capability, with advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large data sets.
• Experience managing projects, timelines and multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, assess options and recommend solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a structured approach to planning and execution.
• Ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders across Supply Chain, Commercial, Retail and Project teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to present plans, risks and recommendations clearly.
• A proactive, self-motivated mindset and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Previous experience supporting retail expansion, store openings or large-scale operational projects would be advantageous.

Beautiful Benefits At SEPHORA UK

When you join SEPHORA, you're joining a team that we truly value and our benefits reflect that. Here's what you can look forward to:

• Private Healthcare, Life Assurance and Private Pension from day one.
• Competitive pay that grows with you, including annual salary reviews.
• A generous employee discount across the world's best beauty brands.
• A paid day off on your birthday.
• Access to a wellbeing and perks platform.
• LVMH Heart Fund support.
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to buy more.
• And more…

Together, we belong to something beautiful.

SEPHORA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, or other employment practices. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.