Merchandise Planning Manager Ladieswear

We have an exciting opportunity for a Merchandise Planning Manager for Ladieswear, within UK Clothing.
To accelerate the growth of our clothing business in the UK we are establishing a new team based in the UK to set up a centralised buying model for our Ladieswear categories.
This new operating model will involve changes to the current ways of working in Buying, Merchandising, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing and Retail Operations. To support these changes we are looking for people who enjoy working in a fast paced environment driving and delivering business change and improvement.
We are presenting the opportunity for a Merchandise Planning Manager to join our UK Team.
As a Merchandise Planning Manager, your role will be to deliver the financial KPI’s of the Merchandise Plan. You will support the department strategy and prepare Sales, Stock and Profit Plans. In conjunction with the Buying Manager, you will ensure product ranges deliver clear statements and improve return on space. You will lead a team who manage the day to day trading and you will set department targets to drive improvements. You will recognise business needs and ensure the team focus on optimising sales, profitability and control the flow of stock within the department.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
Ensure you deliver your budgeted Sales, Markdown, Stock and Margin Targets.
Plan a successful strategy with the Buying Team.
Ensure that Range Changes, Promotions and Great Seasonal Events are delivered in full and within the agreed Critical Path timelines.
Ensure that product ranges deliver clear statements and fulfil the Financial Targets.
Identify and respond to changes in trading conditions and ensure action is taken to optimise sales, profit and customer offer.
Ensure the weekly trade meetings drive out actions which improve performance.
Lead the implementation of new policies and processes and ensured best practice is embedded across the department.
Coach, develop and manage a team to deliver the business targets.
Champion the delivery of change within your department to drive improvements.
Work with the Buying team in achieving the category depot service level target
The successful candidate will have significant experience of Merchandise and Stock Planning within a multi site retail business for a minimum of four consecutive seasons. You will have a proven track record of the management of Range Planning, Open To Buy control and Assortment Planning. You will have a good understanding of supply chain processes and experience of merchandising non-continuity products including at least one hard line category. You will also have a proven track record of managing and leading a high performance team.

Job Title          Merchandise Planning Manager – Ladieswear
Location          Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Job Number    128167853
Posted            09/08/2010
Job Type          Permanent
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