Senior Lead - Merchandising Planner

On; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global retailer in Sunderland seeks a Senior Lead - Merchandising Planner to drive product forecasts for the Americas. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in merchandise planning, with a focus on data analysis and collaboration across teams. This role requires autonomy and strategic thinking, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and market trends. The company emphasizes growth and innovation in its supportive work environment.

Benefits

Supportive team-oriented atmosphere

Personal self-care tools for physical and mental well-being

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in merchandise planning or related analytical role.
• High proficiency with planning and forecasting tools.
• Ability to analyze data for clear recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal forecasts for the Americas region.
• Own the go-to-market forecasting process.
• Analyze market intelligence to identify risks and opportunities.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Data analysis

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Tools

Data visualization tools

Job description

As a Senior Lead - Merchandising Planner, you will lead the strategic product forecast for the Americas region, transforming brand vision into actionable commercial plans and driving profitable growth across all channels. Reporting to the Director of Merchandising, you will serve as a key partner to the Americas Merchandising team, leveraging data and market insights to ensure the right product mix for our fans. This role is a critical cross-functional driver working with regional sales and merchandising teams, requiring high autonomy to influence outcomes and provide direction from a planning lens.

Your Mission

• Lead the development of forward-looking seasonal forecasts for the Americas, ensuring alignment with omnichannel commercial objectives, regional market trends, and global product strategies
• Drive and own the regional go-to-market forecasting process, delivering clear, data-backed inputs and reporting on business mix, inventory health, and distribution to leadership
• Collaborate with sales, product merchants, and omni-channel planning partners to develop and propose business tactics in response to real-time market trends, advising on open-to-buy and optimal unit purchasing
• Act as a central knowledge hub for business performance, routinely presenting insights and recommendations to senior leaders and executive management to inform short and long-term business goals
• Analyze emerging omnichannel sales performance, market intelligence, and consumer trends to proactively identify risks and opportunities, providing strategic input well in advance of product creation finalization
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying underlying issues and root causes, leading the implementation of new tools and processes to enhance planning efficiency and reporting capabilities

Your Story

• You bring 7+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning or a related analytical role at a premium or performance-oriented global retailer, ideally within the footwear or apparel industries, or in other categories with frequent product refreshes and seasonal complexity
• You have experience analyzing and reviewing consumer trends and marketplace data to forecast a holistic story across a product categories and channels
• High proficiency with planning, forecasting, and data visualization tools, and the ability to analyze data to build clear narratives and actionable recommendations for senior audiences
• You have a track record of adapting to ambiguity and navigating a balance between entrepreneurial innovation and established structure to deliver results
• Skilled at incorporating diverse perspectives and synthesizing a wide range of interests from various stakeholders to build consensus and align on output
• You are known for consistently following through on commitments, taking accountability for your responsibilities, and inspiring others to do the same

Meet The Team

You'll join the Americas Merchandising team, where we act as trusted advisors, setting the vision and direction for product across the region. We serve as a vital bridge between our Global Product and Commercial teams and our regional business leaders, driving cross-functional interaction with a market-relevant, consumer-focused mindset. We touch on all departments to set commercial plans, identify profitable growth, and act on sales opportunities together. As our Americas team continues to grow, you'll play a key role in driving that journey.

What We Offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically - to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. We are requesting that you provide sensitive demographic information such as gender identity and race/ethnicity to help us ensure that we are creating equitable and fair experiences for all potential future team members. You are not required to provide this demographic information and this information will in no way impact your eligibility for hire.