Associate Planner

The Associate Planner is responsible for delivering the division/brand merchandise strategy through development of the seasonal and yearly product and location sales plans, including forecasting and allocation of product; with a view to maximizing sales and gross margin.

 

Functional Roles and Responsibilities 
• Deliver category sales, gross margin and sell-through performance to plan 
• Participate in the development of annual sales budgets and forecasts for specific brands by analyzing data on seasonal/ yearly trends 
• Monitor performance against plan, taking appropriate action to maximize sales and margins 
• Identify and evaluate sales and gross margin opportunities at department level 
• Review, propose and implement mark-down activity to reduce terminal stock, whilst analyzing action taken on mark-downs to maximize profit 
• Communicate trading issues and forecasts with proposed actions to senior management and Buying team 
• Implement the agreed departmental strategy, in conjunction with the Buying team 
• Evaluate market and customer information together with historical data and forward trends to develop the merchandise plans 
• Work with relevant stakeholders to monitor overall inventory levels to plan and forecast 
• Manage and review replenishment orders for the relevant products based on model stock and trends to achieve optimal sales, profit and inventory performance 
• Identify slow and best sellers, responding quickly to maximize sales and minimize risks 
• Implement the agreed markdown strategy and communicate to stakeholders 
• Ensure all inventory targets are met, including stock turnover, terminal stock and movements to sale outlets 
• Identify inter-store transfer of stock and direct the distribution of goods to ensure store targets are met 
• Responsibility for accurate and timely completion of OTB at the relevant product level 
• Maintain OTB to manage forward buys in-line with department inventory targets 
• Provide ongoing feedback and information to team members on sales results, competitive practices, and delivery issues with vendors and other specific information which could impact the performance of the business 
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers 
• Manage all aspects relating to shipments, logistical processing and allocation function 
• Analyze Suppliers’ delivery performance and, in conjunction with the Buying team, take appropriate actions 
• Contribute to future supplier strategies 
• Measure products’ performance against agreed quality standards and take necessary action with suppliers 
• Assist in the decision-making and problem solving on supplier / brand / partner issues 
• Develop and maintain effective working partnership with divisions particularly Retail Managers / Store Managers / Logistics and Operations 
• Drive decision-making and problem solving relating to merchandise issues at division and location level 
• Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of merchandising business processes 
• Manage communication and coordination with stores regarding price changes, product discontinuation, and brand / item focus 
• Ensure team results, relationships and processes are aligned with the Company‘s mission, values and policies.

People Management Roles and Responsibilities 
• Assumes responsibility for the outcomes of others. Promotes a sense of urgency and establishes and enforces individual accountability in the team. Works with people to establish explicit performance standards. Is completely on top of what is going on and knows where things stand. Provides balanced feedback at the most critical times. 
• Proactively develops relationships with a wide variety of people. Builds immediate rapport, even when facing difficult or tense situations. Understands interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts in an effective manner. Engages input from others constantly and listens with empathy and concern. 
• Readily distinguishes between what’s relevant and what’s unimportant to make sense of complex situations. Looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answers. Analyzes multiple and diverse sources of information to define problems accurately before moving to solutions. 
• Delivers messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Articulates messages in a way that is broadly understandable. Adjusts communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders. 
• Takes consistent action to develop new skills. Finds ways to apply strengths to new issues. Is aware of the skills needed to be successful in different situations and levels. Seeks assignments that stretch him/her beyond comfort zone. 
• Decisively makes high-quality decisions, even when based on incomplete information or in the face of uncertainty. Actively seeks input from pertinent sources to make timely and well-informed decisions. Skillfully separates opinions from facts. Is respected by others for displaying superior judgment.