Merchandise Planning Analyst

Mini Depato Corp.; Philippines; On-site; PHP 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Mini Depato Corp. in the Philippines is seeking a Merchandising Planning Analyst to translate sales, inventory, and customer data into actionable insights.

You will develop forecasts, Open-to-Buy plans, and dashboards that improve assortment decisions and stock levels, using AI-enabled tools to speed analysis. This role is an individual contributor that collaborates with Merchandising, Buying, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance and Operations, delivering timely reports and data-driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in merchandise planning, analytics, retail planning, or related analytical role.
• Experience in retail, fashion, FMCG, or high-volume businesses is preferred.
• Experience with sales, inventory, assortment, and financial performance data is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop sales, inventory, and demand forecasts by category, SKU, store, and period.
• Prepare Open-to-Buy (OTB) and inventory plans aligned with sales targets.
• Monitor actual sales versus plan and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify sales trends, seasonal patterns, fast- and slow-moving products.
• Monitor inventory levels, stock cover, sell-through, ageing, and replenishment.
• Identify overstock, understock, and stock-out risks and recommend actions.
• Support inventory allocation and store replenishment decisions.
• Help maintain an optimal assortment and inventory mix.
• Analyze sales, inventory, margin, and SKU productivity using Excel/BI tools.
• Prepare weekly and monthly merchandise performance reports.
• Provide insights and recommendations to Merchandising, Buying, Procurement, and Operations teams.
• Develop dashboards and automated reports to improve decision-making.
• Utilize AI tools and advanced analytics to improve forecasting, reporting, trend analysis, and decision-making.
• Explore opportunities to automate repetitive planning and reporting processes.
• Use data-driven insights to identify emerging customer and product trends.
• Work closely with Merchandising, Buying, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations.

Skills

Retail analytics

Demand forecasting

Inventory planning

Data storytelling

Excel

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Economics/Mathematics

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Job Purpose:

The Merchandising Planning Analyst provides data- and technology-enabled analysis, planning support, and actionable recommendations that help Management make faster, better-informed assortment, purchasing, and inventory decisions. The role translates sales, margin, inventory, and customer data into clear commercial insights, and uses AI-enabled tools to improve the speed and quality of that analysis. This is an individual contributor, analyst-level role that supports and informs merchandise decisions

Responsibilities:

1. Merchandise Planning & Forecasting

• Develop sales, inventory, and demand forecasts by category, SKU, store, and period.

• Prepare Open-to-Buy (OTB) and inventory plans aligned with sales targets.

• Monitor actual sales versus plan and recommend corrective actions.

• Identify sales trends, seasonal patterns, fast- and slow-moving products.

2. Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory levels, stock cover, sell-through, ageing, and replenishment.

• Identify overstock, understock, and stock-out risks and recommend actions.

• Support inventory allocation and store replenishment decisions.

• Help maintain an optimal assortment and inventory mix.

3. Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze sales, inventory, margin, and SKU productivity using Excel/BI tools.

• Prepare weekly and monthly merchandise performance reports.

• Provide insights and recommendations to Merchandising, Buying, Procurement, and Operations teams.

• Develop dashboards and automated reports to improve decision-making.

4. AI & Digital Analytics

• Utilize AI tools and advanced analytics to improve forecasting, reporting, trend analysis, and decision-making.

• Explore opportunities to automate repetitive planning and reporting processes.

• Use data-driven insights to identify emerging customer and product trends.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Merchandising, Buying, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations.

• Participate in assortment reviews, seasonal planning, promotions, and new product launches.

• Communicate risks and opportunities clearly to stakeholders.

Key Qualifications (Background, Experience, etc.):

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 2-3 years of experience in merchandise planning, merchandise analytics, retail planning, buying support, commercial analytics, business analysis, or a related analytical role.

• Experience in retail, specialty retail, fashion, FMCG, consumer goods, or other high-volume/fast-moving businesses is preferred.

• Experience working with sales, inventory, assortment, and financial performance data is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of retail merchandise planning and key merchandise performance metrics.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret large or complex datasets and translate findings into business recommendations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization.

• Experience with Power BI, dashboarding, reporting, or data visualization tools is an advantage.

• Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity, analytics, forecasting, or automation tools and their practical application in business is preferred.

• Ability to build or work with financial and merchandise planning models.

• Strong presentation and data storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate analytical findings clearly to Management and non-technical stakeholders.