Associate Manager, Merchandise Planning

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Support in pre-season Planning within the market for the Brand's owned E-commerce channel (eCom) and manage in season OTB process.

Key Responsibilities:

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  • Support in the implementation of the OTB process to meet sales, margin, and inventory targets, contributing category-level Rolling Demand Plan and markdown plans
  • Support in market seasonal stock position assuring the right volumes are available on eCom and distribution centers and inform of changes to Allocation teams
  • Contribute to market in-season trading, assuring timely sales forecast by product, stock intakes and in-season markdowns
  • Provide input, report on, and analyze sales results to plan, making recommendations to influence in-season and pre-season business decisions.
  • Participate in overseeing pre-season sales and receipt guidance and post-season hindsight to drive product category sales growth by season and product buy plans by season
  • Contribute to the development of annual channel sales, margin and receipt plans for annual budgeting process
  • Participate in major go-to-market milestones to gain insight to key seasonal brand and BU strategies and initiatives, contributing financial plans for eCom outlook
  • Support in implementing best practices for the planning function and partner with cross-functional teams to ensure that we are getting the best and necessary data for the team to analyze the business
  • Work with global/local colleagues to assist in defining and implementing best in class eCom planning best practices and KPI tracking mechanisms focused on optimization of the eCom experience through in season trading best practices
  
  
  
  

Key Relationships:

• NAM Buying & Planning
• NAM Demand Planning
• NAM Product Supply
• NAM Finance
• NAM Digital Analytics

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Relevant job experience in a Planning or Buying function, eCommerce experience preferred
• Strong analytical skills and fact-based orientation in decision making
• Understanding of retail math, sales forecasting, and gross margin profitability planning
• Proficient in collaborating and effectively communicating across diverse functions within a global organization.
• Experience with planning software/tools and merchandise management systems

• Intermediate knowledge of MS office applications, specifically Excel including creating spreadsheets, complex formulas, pivot tables

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

University degree or equivalent experience required in Business, Finance, Sales, Fashion, Marketing or a related field preferred

2+ years of work experience, preferably in Buying, Planning, Allocation and/or Vendor Sale