Merchandise Planning Manager

Gingersnaps Philippines; Pasig; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Gingersnaps Philippines is seeking a Merchandise Planning & Buying Manager to lead category planning, assortment strategies, inventory planning, and allocation across channels.

You will oversee forecasting, demand planning, and performance analysis, coordinate with Ecommerce, Warehouse, Production, Marketing, and Store Operations, and coach a small team to improve efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business or related field.
• At least 5–8 years of experience in merchandise planning, buying, merchandising, or inventory management.
• Minimum of 2–3 years managerial or team leadership experience.
• Experience in retail, apparel, fashion, or FMCG preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Category Analyst, Merchandising Assistant, and planning team.
• Monitor performance, deliverables, and execution timelines.
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiency.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Merchandise Planning

Inventory Management

Forecasting

Category Management

Business Analysis

Cross-functional communication

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Merchandise Planning & Buying Management

• Lead category planning, assortment planning, buying, inventory planning, and allocation activities.
• Develop merchandise strategies aligned with sales, margin, inventory productivity, and business objectives.
• Manage seasonal calendars, planning timelines, and key deliverables.
• Evaluate product performance and determine buying requirements, replenishment priorities, and inventory investments.
• Recommend actions to improve category sales, profitability, and inventory efficiency.
• Ensure merchandise plans and buying decisions support seasonal and business strategies.

Sales & Inventory Performance Management

• Oversee preparation and analysis of sales dashboards, category reports, sell-through, MTS, and inventory reports.
• Analyze sales trends, inventory movement, risks, and category opportunities.
• Identify stock issues and implement corrective actions to improve productivity.
• Monitor sell-through, stock cover, turnover, and inventory efficiency across channels.
• Recommend actions to maximize sales while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
• Lead forecasting, demand planning, allocation, and replenishment processes.
• Ensure inventory availability aligns with demand and business requirements.
• Manage allocation and distribution across channels based on sales performance and priorities.
• Monitor allocation accuracy and inventory balancing activities.
• Coordinate replenishment and inventory movement with Warehouse and Store Operations.

Markdown & Inventory Productivity Management

• Develop and execute markdown strategies to optimize inventory and manage aging stock.
• Analyze inventory aging and sell-through to identify markdown opportunities.
• Monitor effectiveness of markdowns, promotions, and inventory optimization initiatives.
• Lead inventory productivity actions including transfers, consolidation, pullouts, and clearance activities.
• Ensure timely execution of inventory actions to support business objectives.

Merchandise Reporting & Business Analysis

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of merchandise reports, forecasts, and planning tools.
• Maintain data accuracy, integrity, and reporting discipline.
• Prepare and present performance reviews, inventory updates, and business recommendations.
• Use insights and analytics to support strategic decision-making.

Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the Category Analyst, Merchandising Assistant, and planning team.
• Monitor performance, deliverables, and execution timelines.
• Ensure accuracy and timely completion of all merchandising outputs.
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiency.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with Ecommerce, Warehouse, Production, Creatives, Marketing, and Store Operations.
• Support seasonal launches, promotions, and inventory initiatives.
• Ensure alignment of merchandise planning with execution across teams.
• Contribute to strategic planning and business initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, or related field.
• At least 5–8 years of experience in merchandise planning, buying, merchandising, inventory management, retail operations, or related functions.
• Minimum of 2–3 years managerial or team leadership experience.
• Experience in retail, apparel, fashion, or FMCG industry is preferred.
• Strong background in merchandise planning, inventory control, forecasting, category management, and business analysis.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong background in Merchandise Planning, Buying, Retail Merchandising, Inventory Management, or related business functions.
• Strong analytical, forecasting, and inventory management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, reporting, and merchandise analysis.
• Knowledge of merchandise planning, buying, allocation, forecasting, replenishment, and retail reporting.
• Ability to analyze sales, inventory productivity, category performance, and business trends.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Effective leadership and cross-functional communication abilities.
• Strong commercial and business decision-making capability.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.