Sr. Planner & Merchandiser

Required Skills:

Job Title: Sr. Planner & Merchandiser Department: Planning and Merchandising Reports To: Head - Planning and Merchandising /GM Job Description Financial Planning & Analysis: Develop and manage Brand Annual Budgets for sales margins and markdowns. Conduct Post-Seasonal Analysis to evaluate past performance at Department Class Sub-Class and Item levels to guide future strategies. Collaborate with Buyers to propose Seasonal Strategies on Sales Price Points Size Color and Assortment Dimensions based on past performance and future trends. Prepare and propose Seasonal Budgets/OTB (Open-to-Buy) from Brand down to Class/Sub-Class levels ensuring alignment with financial goals such as Sales Opening/Closing Stocks Inflows Forward Covers and Sales Margins. Develop WSSI (Weekly Sales and Stock Intake) reports projecting Sales Opening/Closing Stocks Forward Covers and Planned Inflows by month/season. Create Store Grading at the Class/Sub-Class levels to determine the appropriate width and depth of ranges for different store sizes (Medium/Small) optimizing stock levels for display capacity. Collaborate with Buyers to finalize the Buy Plan (Range Plan) by season ensuring it aligns with financial targets inventory needs and product assortment plans. Track and report on performance throughout the season comparing actual performance against planned objectives adjusting strategies as needed. Identify any exceptions or discrepancies in Sales Stockholdings Forward Covers and Inflows and propose corrective actions in collaboration with the Buyers. Monitor Seasonal Budget performance and reforecast as necessary considering past performance trends to adjust for Sales Stocks and Inflows. Maintain the OTB tracker ensuring clear visibility on orders placed cancellations and any excess or underbuys. Inventory Management: Ensure the availability of all replenishment items and maintain timely reviews of replenishment orders to prevent stockouts. Monitor the flow of stock received in warehouses ensuring it is allocated to stores and is actively selling. Collaborate with Buyers and Stores to resolve any out-of-stock situations. Develop and communicate the allocation plan for seasonal/product launches in collaboration with Buyers ensuring timely execution for both retail stores and wholesale partners. Manage and track sell-through rates at the season and product level to optimize markdowns and avoid excess stock. Analyze aging stock and propose actions for clearance or redistribution communicating necessary steps to the Stores. Ensure timely communication with Stores to address any stock consolidation requirements. Pricing & Margin Management: Collaborate with Buyers to align on pricing for new shipments ensuring it meets target intake margins. Monitor sell-through performance of both fast-moving and slow-moving items proposing corrective actions for price adjustments reorders or markdowns. Propose and manage price adjustments for slow-selling items ensuring alignment with the Buyers strategy and obtaining Management approval before communicating actions to Stores. Contribute to Promotion and End-of-Season Sales (EOSS) planning focusing on pricing strategies discounting and inventory optimization. Store & Competitor Visits: Conduct regular store visits to monitor product performance trends and customer feedback. Ensure alignment with the brands strategy on quantity range pricing and customer demands. Stay updated on competitor range compositions pricing strategies and overall market trends to drive competitiveness. Systems Maintenance & Enhancement: Ensure the availability and accuracy of reports measuring performance against the planned objectives maintaining effective tracking of key KPIs. Maintain systems ensuring data integrity and timely updates to reports and systems. Communicate any system enhancement needs to the Line Manager for review Employment Standards Qualifications: Basic Qualification / Education / Vocational Training: Bachelors Degree in Retail Fashion Management Business Administration or equivalent from an accredited institution Advanced Qualification / Certification / Specialist Training: Post-Graduate Degree or MBA in Retail Management Business Administration or a related field is preferred. Experience: Minimum 5-6 years of relevant experience in retail planning particularly in fashion retail. Experience in managing financial planning inventory management pricing strategies and open-to-buy (OTB) planning. Proven track record of working with Buyers Merchandisers and cross-functional teams to meet business goals. Skills & Competencies: Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making. Merchandise planning expertise with a deep understanding of inventory management sales forecasting and assortment planning. Strong knowledge of retail financials including sales ma