Planning Manager

Jessica McCormack; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Jessica McCormack is seeking a senior Merchandising professional to lead Open to Buy planning across regions, translating sales targets into investment recommendations while optimizing inventory and protecting margins.

You will develop analysis and reporting to support merchandising decisions and company strategy, collaborating with Finance, Production, Wholesale, Logistics and Inventory teams in a fast-paced luxury retail environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Minimum 5-7 years global merchandise planning experience in jewellery or luxury retail.
• Strong knowledge of Open to Buy management, inventory productivity, margin planning and forecasting.
• Advanced numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident working with Excel and comfortable analysing data.

Responsibilities

• Own the global Open to Buy planning ensuring inventory and productivity assumptions support commercial priorities.
• Prepare and present Open to Buy recommendations to senior leadership, communicating complex analysis clearly.
• Partner with Finance to align revenue, procurement, margin and inventory targets.
• Identify sales, margin and inventory risks.
• Define line-level target stock levels to support stock replenishment model.
• Perform monthly replenishment re-orders.

Skills

Open to Buy

Inventory productivity

Margin planning

Forecasting

Excel

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Renowned diamond jeweller Jessica McCormack designs exceptional jewellery for the modern woman, creating heirlooms for future generations. Artfully blending modernity and timelessness, her mission is to create jewellery that generations of women will wear and adore.

Since launching in 2008, the brand has become known for effortlessly melding the traditional and the contemporary, combining Georgian techniques and expert craftsmanship with modern-day design influences, eschewing trends for a unique, heirloom-inspired aesthetic. Conscious of the demands placed on today’s modern woman, Jessica designs each piece to stand out, but also to work effortlessly within a client’s lifestyle and existing wardrobe.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

This role will lead on the Open to Buy planning activity across all regions and channels. While sitting within the Merchandising function, the role will serve as a key link to Finance, translating sales targets into investment recommendations while optimizing inventory and protecting margin. Additionally, the role will also be responsible for the development of analysis and reporting to support merchandising decisions and company strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

OTB Planning

• Own the global Open to Buy planning ensuring inventory and productivity assumptions support commercial priorities
• Prepare and present Open to Buy recommendations to senior leadership, communicating complex analysis in a clear and compelling way
• Partner with Finance to align revenue, procurement, margin and inventory targets
• Identify sales, margin and inventory risks
• Define line-level target stock levels in support of defining stock replenishment model.
• Perform monthly replenishment re-orders.

Reporting and Analysis

• Lead on merchandise reporting for global business including, but not limited to, trade and collection reporting, trend and productivity analyses
• Deliver clear, actionable commercial reporting that articulates performance drivers, root causes and recommended solutions
• Support on board level analysis

Cross-Functional

• Build strong working relationships with Finance, Production, Wholesale, Logistics and Inventory teams
• Act as a key point of contact for all Open to buy management.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelors degree, or higher
• Minimum 5-7 years of global merchandise planning experience in a jewellery or luxury retail brand
• Strong knowledge of Open to Buy management, inventory productivity, margin planning and forecasting
• Advanced numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident working with Excel and comfortable analysing data.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Commercially aware and interested in understanding what drives sales and product performance.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, detail-focused environment.
• A positive, collaborative approach with a strong work ethic.