Merchandise Planning Manager | Newly Created Role | Build, Lead & Shape the Planning Function
This is a genuinely career-defining opportunity for an experienced planning professional to build a new merchandise planning capability from the ground up.
Rather than inheriting an established function, you'll become the planning expert within the business, creating the frameworks, processes, reporting and ways of working that will ultimately influence how major commercial decisions are made.
At the heart of the role is data.
You'll bring together demand, sales, stock, availability, range, margin and working-capital information, turning complex data into clear commercial direction. You'll be someone who naturally asks “what is the data telling us?” and has the confidence to use that evidence to make recommendations, challenge assumptions and influence decisions.
That requires more than technical planning expertise.
We're looking for a credible leader and outstanding communicator who can operate comfortably at every level of the organisation, from the people closest to the day-to-day process through to Buyers, functional leaders, the SLT and Board.
You'll need the confidence to hold your position when the evidence supports it, while being able to explain the why, bring people with you and establish planning as a trusted commercial partner across the business.
What you'll be here to achieve
Build the planning function – establish the frameworks, governance, planning cycles, KPIs and reporting that the business needs.
Create a single, data-led view of demand and translate this into meaningful commercial actions.
Lead forecasting and planning across stock, intake, availability, range, promotions, margin and working capital.
Establish and develop an effective S&OP/IBP rhythm, connecting Buying, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial teams.
Use data to identify risks and opportunities early and provide clear recommendations on what the business should do next.
Challenge commercial assumptions where the evidence points towards a different decision.
Present complex planning information clearly and confidently to operational teams, senior leadership and the Board.
Build strong relationships across functions while maintaining an independent, evidence-based planning perspective.
Improve forecast accuracy, stock turn and availability while reducing aged/excess inventory and unnecessary working-capital exposure.
Shape the tools, systems, reporting and analytical capability required for the future.
Develop planning capability throughout the organisation and, as the function evolves, help shape and build the team around you.
The person we're looking for
Ideally you will have 5+ years' experience in merchandise planning, demand planning or commercial planning within a sophisticated multi-site/multi-channel retail, wholesale, buying-group or comparable consumer environment.
You'll bring strong knowledge of forecasting, inventory, availability, stock turn, range planning, margin and working capital, with exposure to areas such as OTB, WSSI and S&OP/IBP particularly valuable.
But the person behind the experience matters enormously.
You'll be analytical and highly data-led, comfortable interrogating information rather than accepting assumptions. You'll have the commercial judgement to turn analysis into a decision and the confidence to stand behind your recommendation.
You'll also be a leader and communicator. Someone equally comfortable working through detail with the people involved in the process and stepping into an SLT or Board meeting to explain what the numbers mean, what needs to change and why.
You'll have previous experience of building, reshaping or significantly improving a planning function or process, introducing new ways of working and influencing stakeholders through change.
Advanced Excel and strong planning/analytical systems capability will be expected. Electricals, consumer electronics or appliance experience would be advantageous, but the quality and relevance of your planning background is more important.
Why this opportunity is different
If you've spent your career learning what excellent planning looks like within established organisations, this is an opportunity to take that experience and build something of your own.
You'll have the platform to become the recognised expert within the business, influence decisions at the highest level and create a planning capability that becomes increasingly important to how the organisation operates.
For more information contact Louise Howard today for a confidential conversation about this game changing opportunity.