Position Overview
As FTC Merchandise Planner you will hold responsibility for brand and channel planning and trading to maximise the opportunities that drive the business forward. Reporting into the Merchandise Planning Manager and working in collaboration with the buying teams you will formulate the financial budgets and seasonal OTB down to category level while continually analysing performance to make recommendations that drive sales and manage stock levels.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operation/Financial
1. Critically analyses trade reports, and utilises own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
2. Influence trade actions that impact Division/channel performance
3. Drives and optimises line card process and communicates impacts to department KPI's to key stakeholders
4. Ensures the department is maximising KPI opps and minimising KPI risks, through successful management of the WSSI.
5. Understands long term sales plans and can translate this into department KPIs.
6. Oversees inventory management process and works cross-functionally, to provide solutions to reach end of season stock targets and average cost turn, communicating KPI impacts to management
7. Uses hindsight assessment to formulate the financial building blocks required for strategy planning.
8. Partners & influences buying counterparts to formulate the department forward strategy, and able to critically assess the risks and opps associated, whilst providing sound solutions
9. Owns OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI's through optimising buying strategies and OTB management, demonstrating flexibility in approach to maximise opportunities
10. Responsible for overseeing seasonal markdowns & communication to stores.
11. Works efficiently & sets department priorities
Commercial Awareness
12. Utilises knowledge of brand positioning and market analysis to help shape future strategies
13. Oversees regular store visits and competitor reviews.
Team Development
14. To adopt a positive and proactive approach to their own training and development as well as that of their peers.
15. Influences & collaborates with key stakeholders on cross-functional projects & process improvement
16. Coaches and trains team, helping them to acquire the skills & knowledge to be more effective.
17. Regularly reviews team progress towards achieving goals
18. Participates in company initiatives as appropriate.
19. Empowers team wellness & prioritises team psychological safety.
20. Feels confident leading a team and can clearly delegate tasks.
Communications & Partnerships
21. Creates and maintains strong working relationships within key stakeholders.
22. Collaborates and informs stakeholders on strategies & business goals.
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
23. Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems
24. Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences
25. Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to 'think outside the box'
26. Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
27. Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude
28. Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
29. Can confidently and respectfully challenge others opinions
30. Demonstrates self-Awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
31. Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
32. An expert in using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
33. Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
34. Attention to detail.
35. Regularly recognises & praises good work
36. Leads by example & shows desire to mentor junior members.
37. Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product