Assistant Merchandise Planner (Fixed Term Contract)

Shaws Department Stores; Portlaoise; Hybrid; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Employee assistance program

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work (60:40) after probation

Company pension after probation

Job summary

Shaws Department Stores in Ireland is seeking an Assistant Merchandise Planner on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave in our Portlaoise Support Office. You will analyse sales trends, plan stock requirements and work with buyers to meet customer demand and business goals.

You will forecast demand, set stock targets by store and week, monitor stock health, and report on KPIs, collaborating with allocation and supply chain teams to ensure timely product delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandise planning or buying support in retail analytics.
• Strong Excel skills including pivot tables and lookups; comfortable with large datasets.
• Clear communication and ability to present findings to non-specialists.
• Organised and able to manage multiple seasons and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Analyse sales, stock, and performance data to spot trends and opportunities.
• Forecast demand and set stock targets by store, channel and week.
• Monitor stock health, flag excess or shortage, and recommend markdowns or replenishment.
• Track KPIs such as sell-through, margin and forecast accuracy.

Skills

Excel skills

Merchandise planning

Data analysis

Communication

Organisation

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Assistant Merchandise Planner (Fixed Term Contract)

AssistantMerchandise Planner (Fixed-Term Contract for 1 Year)

Shaws are now recruiting for an Assistant Merchandise Planner to cover maternity leave for one year in our Support Office in Portlaoise.

Established over 160 years ago, Shaws has become a trusted and much-loved brand as one of Ireland's leading department store retailers. An Irish family-owned business to this day, we enjoy a rich heritage that is steeped in tradition. Our goal is to provide quality products, unmatched service and expert knowledge for all our customers nationwide.

What's in it for you:

• Generous staff discount scheme on purchases within store
• EAP
• Flexible Working Hours
• Opportunity to work Hybrid (60:40) upon completion of probation
• Company pension after completion of probation

About the role

About the role

We're seeking an Assistant Merchandise Planner to help manage stock levels and drive sales performance. You'll analyse sales trends, plan stock requirements, and work closely with buyers and store teams to ensure our product ranges meet customer demand and business goals.

What you’ll do:

• Analyse sales, stock, and performance data to spot trends, risks, and opportunities, and recommend actions
• Forecast demand and set stock targets by store, channel, and week
• Monitor stock health, flag excess or shortage early, and recommend markdowns, replenishment or inter branch transfers
• Track and report on KPIs such as sell-through, margin, weeks of cover, and forecast accuracy
• Work with buyers to set assortment depth and breadth, and to review and optimise range plans
• Partner with allocation and supply chain teams to ensure the right product reaches the right location on time
• Provide stock, sales and margin analysis to buyers and other key stakeholders in the company

What you’ll bring:

• Experience in merchandise planning, buying support, or a similar retail analytical role
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and comfort working with large datasets
• Familiarity with merchandise planning or ERP systems (experience with any specific platform is a bonus, not a requirement)
• Solid commercial awareness and a good sense of fashion, trends, or your product category
• Clear, confident communication and the ability to present findings to non-specialists
• Organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing several seasons and deadlines at once

About the company

Shaws Department Stores is a long-established Irish retail chain, founded in 1864, with a proud heritage of serving communities across the country. With stores located in key towns and cities throughout Ireland, Shaws offers a wide range of quality fashion, homewares, and lifestyle products from leading brands. Renowned for its commitment to customer service and value, Shaws continues to blend tradition with modern retailing to meet the evolving needs of Irish shoppers.