Merchandise Planning Manager (Fashion/Luxury Goods)

Summary: The Merchandise Planning Manager role focuses on managing EMEIA Outlet planning activities for a world-class luxury fashion brand. The position requires strategic inventory management and collaboration with various teams to drive commercial performance and achieve sales and margin targets. Candidates must have managerial experience in merchandising, preferably within luxury retail or fashion. This is a 3-month temporary assignment based in Central London, with a hybrid working arrangement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic and controlled inventory management of the Outlet channel through the Rolling Open to Buy process.
• Accountable for commercial insights to drive pre-season and in-season decisions, focusing on promotions.
• Manage the quarterly buy process for the Outlet channel in alignment with key strategies.
• Collaborate with Retail, Merchandising, Allocation, Regional Finance, and Central Planning teams on inventory management.
• Develop seasonal liquidation strategies, including markdowns and promotions.
• Lead the Outlet Allocation team for regular store replenishment.
• Conduct monthly inventory forecast reviews and provide insights on risks and opportunities.
• Support the Director of Planning in inventory management and margin control.

Key Skills:

• Previous merchandising planning experience.
• Demand forecasting.
• Sales and margin analysis.
• Inventory management.
• Strong managerial experience in global inventory planning.
• Effective communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Creative and customer-oriented problem-solving abilities.
• Strong decision-making capability.
• Dynamic and collaborative style with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills.

Salary (Rate): £56,000.00

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: inside IR35

Seniority Level: Mid-Level

Industry: Retail