Objective:
This position is responsible for supporting the development and execution of merchandise and inventory plans that align with business strategies and sales objectives. The role focuses on analyzing past performance, forecasting future demand, managing stock levels, and ensuring timely product availability across brands to optimize sell-through, margins, and overall financial performance.
Key Responsibility:
- Assist in the preparation of buying budgets and assortment plans based on historical data, trends, and seasonal insights.
- Forecast demand and manage inventory levels for the assigned department, ensuring alignment with sales targets and merchandise plans.
- Monitor sales and stock performance to ensure the achievement of first price sell-through, gross margin, and markdown objectives.
- Maintain availability of CORE products at all times and ensure balanced merchandise mix across store formats.
- Coordinate with the buying team to support product launches, new category introductions, and timely replenishment strategies.
- Conduct weekly inter-store consolidations to improve stock productivity and minimize excess inventory.
- Analyze stock-to-sales ratios, highlight variances, and flag inventory concerns to the Planning Manager and relevant buying stakeholders.
- Collaborate with retail and merchandising teams to review weekly business reports and recommend corrective actions for underperforming areas.
- Support the tracking of KPIs such as LFL (like-for-like) growth, inventory turnover, and margin realization.
- Ensure effective coordination between stores, buying, and logistics teams to maintain stock health and optimize allocation.
Desired Experience:
- 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or supply chain roles within the retail industry.
- Proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Oracle, MS Excel and other MS applications.
- Strong analytical and forecasting skills with a solid understanding of retail stock planning and replenishment cycles.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Retail, or a related field.