(T) Assortment Planner

Foot Locker; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Employee discount

Pension plan

Travel reimbursement

Wellbeing programs

Career development

Job summary

Foot Locker in Utrecht is seeking an Assortment Planner on a 6-month contract to align buyer vision with financial plans and drive optimal store and online assortment across channels.

You will develop collections and convenience assortments, build customer-focused plans using historical data, collaborate with buyers and vendors, and shape assortment strategy for future seasons while improving turnover and gross margin.

Qualifications

• University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or equivalent education and experience.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Understanding of European consumer behavior and regional differences.

Responsibilities

• Create pre-season and in-season assortment plans by location to maximize sales and profit.
• Collaborate with buyers and planners, propose SKU actions, promos and markdowns.
• Analyze store-level data to identify opportunities and optimize SKU count and depth.
• Coach and develop team performance with on-the-job training.
• Maintain best practices across merchandising by partnering with directors and SMEs.
• Manage assortment processes and use internal tools efficiently.
• Support test-and-learn initiatives and scalable opportunities.
• Ensure monthly SKU flow fits space capacity and adapts to trends.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Negotiation/Influencing

Education

University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or equivalent education and experience.

Tools

Marketmax

Arthur

SAP

Job description

This is a temporary 6-month contract.
With the customer at the center of our vision and with the newly implemented “Customer Connected” strategic framework, the Assortment Planner plays an important role in facilitating the creation a deeper, more relevant connection to our customers.

Overview
This is a temporary 6-month contract.
With the customer at the center of our vision and with the newly implemented “Customer Connected” strategic framework, the Assortment Planner plays an important role in facilitating the creation a deeper, more relevant connection to our customers.
The planner will have a key role in developing the ‘Collections’ and ‘Convenience’ component of the “Customer Connected strategic framework” by building a customer specific assortment plan in line with the merchandise strategies and ensuring the constant flow of fresh product to all channels of distribution.
One of the key Assortment Planner responsibilities is to establish effective working relationships with the buyer and vendors to strengthen business and support company strategies. Past and predicted vendor & product performance will help the Assortment Planner determine departmental product strategy for the coming seasons.
Assortment Management - The Assortment Planner’s main function is to unite the buyer’s merchandise vision with the divisional financial strategies supplied by the Financial Planner to generate sales, profit, and liquidation levels. The AP is accountable for the development, coordination, and review of planning and inventory management from total company level down to store level, with the objective of improving turnover and gross margin.
The Assortment Planner is also responsible for driving customer experience in store and increasing NPS, while maximizing sales, margin, and liquidation. The AP co-creates store assortments 6-12 months out that tie into the space available in store at a Package / SKU level. Using historical data and Quantum projections, they provide unit forecasts at a SKU level for futures and re-buys. In season the AP reacts to changes in trend and sell through performance by adjusting distribution to capitalize on emerging opportunities and manage SKU count instore within their geographic scope.
Inventory Optimization - By guiding and leading the Replenishment Analysts, the AP’s effectively buy and control inventories at a size level for both physical and digital locations, (Brick & Mortar and Online). With the objective to maximize sales, inventory turn and profit; all while keeping the customer front and center as the ultimate focus.
To be successful in this role, you will need commercial awareness, excellent analytical and communication skills.
Responsibilities

• Partner with Buying to create optimal pre-season and in-season assortment plans by location to maximize sales and profit opportunities using available space and financial plans.
• Make recommendations to Buying and Planning on SKU actions. (Promotions, marketing, markdowns, cancellations). Manage life cycle through demand creation initiatives.
• Compile and analyze store level data to identify opportunities from a SKU count and depth perspective, also utilizing feedback from the local CX&Sales teams.
• Train, motivate and develop your team to ensure effective performance and growth through consistent on-the-job training.
• Maintain and enhance best business practices across the merchandising group by partnering closely with all Assortment Planners, your Director and seeking input from respective subject matter experts.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of internal assortment process and tools.
• Support test and learn environment by making initiatives manageable and recognizing scalability fast.
• Ensure the monthly sku count flow fits within space capacity.
• Review product distribution plans prior to intake, adapting to trend shifts and new opportunities.

Qualifications

• University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or equivalent education and experience.
• Identify and understand the various business needs and propose solutions/strategic changes.
• Be aware of and introduce innovative approaches/best practices to the business.
• Understand all areas of the business and their requirements and challenges.
• Review current processes to identify potential improvements and implement them together with the responsible area.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a trend driven, high volume company.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Advanced Excel skills are a must, experience using planning tools (Marketmax, Arthur, SAP etc) is preferable.
• Understanding of the European consumer and regional differences.
• Business mathematical skills required.
• Ability to work under pressure and with own initiative.
• Sound business/commercial awareness, high concern for effectiveness, entrepreneurial.
• Enthusiastic, goal-oriented team player with a desire to join the biggest in the business.
• Superior communication skills and ability to influence across all levels of a complex, culturally diverse matrix organization: natural ability to engage others into buying into a vision or a solution, while keeping an open mind to others’ opinions.
• Proactive communication, conveys healthy confidence, energy and inspires trust.
• Understands and is passionate about sneaker culture.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Benefits

• Recognition, inclusion and belonging in a diverse environment
• 25 holidays and flexible working (hybrid position, in office ~3 days p/w)
• Employee Discount on in-store and online products
• Casual Sneaker Culture
• Learning & Health/Wellbeing programs
• Career development and growth in an ambitious international team
• Travel reimbursement
• Access to premium wellness apps
• Bike plan and contribution to gym subscription
• Pension Plan
• Discounted Collective Health plans
• Activities organized by our Social Committee