Ralph Lauren Branch Planner 12 month FTC

BoF Careers; Watford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation in Watford is seeking a Fixed Term Branch Planner to support the Planning Manager, lead branch analytics, and optimise space and inventory across EMEA stores. You will deliver detailed store reporting and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Buying, Retail Ops, and Inventory.

The role requires prior planning or distribution experience, strong Excel skills, and a proactive, collaborative mindset to improve store performance and capacity management.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Assistant Branch Planner, Assistant Merchandiser or equivalent (planning/distribution preferable).
• Self-starter; highly motivated and organised.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in retail mathematics.
• High level of computer literacy; Excel at intermediate/advanced level.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build stakeholder relationships.
• Creative problem-solver and critical thinker.
• Desire to review/create efficiencies in processes.

Responsibilities

• Review weekly trade on KPIs to identify challenges/opportunities and drive profit.
• Maintain and develop central reporting with weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual and ad-hoc analyses using large data sets in Excel.
• Support creating and sharing analyses to stakeholders (store visit decks, regional trade calls, marketing events).
• Provide actionable unit capacity guidance and transfer proposals to allocation/inventory partners.
• Maintain retail and sale calendars reflecting latest information.
• Regularly communicate with regional managers to gather feedback.

Skills

Analytical skills

Retail mathematics

Reporting

Stakeholder comms

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Excel

Job 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.

Position Overview

This is a Fixed Term 12 month contract based in Watford The Branch Planner supports the Planning Manager & Lead, while actively overseeing Branch Analytics and Optimisation across Ralph Lauren EMEA stores. They manage detailed store reporting with a focus on optimising space & inventory, providing feedback and proposals to the business to support store performance and capacity management. They will work in partnership with Business Planning, Merchandise Planning, Brand Image, Inventory & Allocation teams, Buying, Retail Operations, and other key stakeholders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Review weekly trade on Key Performance Indicators to identify challenges/ opportunities with emphasis on timely resolution and optimising profit
• Maintain and develop team's central reporting process through accurate and timely generation of Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual and Adhoc reporting, managing reports in excel involving large data sets
• Support creating and sharing analysis to business and key stakeholders e.g. store visit decks, regional trade calls, marketing events.
• Provide actionable unit capacity guidance and transfer proposals to allocation & inventory partners
• Maintain retail and sale calendars ensuring they reflect latest information
• Regular communication with regional managers gathering feedback from their region

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Previous experience as Assistant Branch Planner, Assistant Merchandiser or equivalent (experience in Planning or Distribution is preferable)
• Must be dynamic, resilient, and happy to work in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter; highly motivated and organised
• Strong analytical skills, proven proficiency in retail mathematics
• High level of computer literacy, Intermediate/Advanced level excel
• Attention to detail and able to maintain good accuracy levels
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with business partners
• Excellent communication skills
• Creative problem-solver and critical thinker
• Must have desire to review / create efficiencies in processes