Planner

Holt Renfrew•Toronto, ON

9d•CA$70,000 - CA$80,000

About The Position

The Planner is responsible for collaborating with the buying team to provide a merchandise management framework to drive the business and maximise profit. The role delivers detailed multi-dimensional plans, forecasts and analysis that enhances assortment decisions, vendor negotiations, inventory and markdown management.

Requirements

Post-secondary degree in a related field or equivalent experience
2+ years of successful experience in a merchandise planning business unit
Excellent financial acumen, strong analytical skills
Demonstrated influencing skills with the ability to get things done
Excellent interpersonal skills
Confident and effective written & verbal communicator
Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and use of ERP and Merchandise Planning systems
Passionate about fashion and luxury retailing

Responsibilities

Prepare and own merchandise plans that align with corporate strategy and deliver maximum full price sales and profit
Build a strong partnership with merchant/buying counterparts, to collaborate on planning decisions and opportunities
Produce and Interpret appropriate levels of end of season analysis to support optimising planning and buying decisions
Manage plan integrity across all relevant hierarchies including merchandise, store and seasons
Maintain plans across all relevant metrics including sales, markdown, margin, receipts and other inventory actions
Manage in season performance through the reforecasting cycle to improve inventory productivity and drive profit
Maintain forecasts across all relevant metrics and hierarchies to ensure a clear understanding of opportunities and risks
Produce and interpret appropriate levels of in-season analysis to drive inventory recommendations & decisions
Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to follow through on opportunities to mitigate risk and drive sales, full price sell-through & profit
Work with Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts to manage inventory levels to maximise opportunity across the network
Where relevant, maintain accurate Demand Forecasts/Auto-Replenishment models and manage open to buy accordingly
Manage markdown inventory and proposals on price reductions to drive profitable sell-through
Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to identify slow moving items and propose markdowns
Review markdown performance, liaise with stores and supply chain to drive opportunities
Calculate and propose relevant further price reductions and actions to balance margin and off-price sell-through
Work with buyers to produce a recode proposal that ensures optimised inventory performance
Forecast and follow-up on performance of promotional, marketing and other events
Make recommendations on event activity based on inventory performance analysis
Predict sales and profit impacts and identify relevant inventory alignment and actions
Produce analysis on event results and interpret future opportunities
Take the opportunity to participate in and champion projects
Develop the knowledge and skills of Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts
Collaborate with peers across planning to ensure consistent, best practice processes, systems and reporting
Prepare performance presentation data where requested
Present findings and results to cross functional audiences as required
Build effective partnerships with internal contacts e.g. buyers, stores, supply chain, finance, marketing
Develop processes, systems and reports
Perform other duties as assigned