Merchandise Planner – London, United Kingdom
Position Overview
Ref #
W178677
State/Region
London
Department
Merchandising & Planning
Location
United Kingdom
City
London
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren’s reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company’s brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
POSITION OVERVIEW
This open Planner role is responsible for driving department performance through commercial analysis, financial planning, forecasting, and inventory management, while partnering cross-functionally to deliver strategy and achieve key business KPIs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Operation/Financial
- Critically analyses tradereports, andutilises own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
- Influence trade actions thatimpactDivision/channel performance
- Drives and optimises line card process and communicates impacts to department KPI’s to key stakeholders
- Ensures the department is maximising KPIoppsand minimising KPI risks, through successful management of the WSSI.
- Understandslong termsales plans and can translate this into department KPIs.
- Oversees inventory management process and works cross-functionally, toprovidesolutions to reach end of season stock targets and average cost turn, communicating KPIimpactsto management
- Uses hindsight assessment to formulate the financial building blocks required for strategy planning.
- Partners & influences buying counterparts to formulate the department forward strategy, and able to critically assess the risks andoppsassociated, whilstprovidingsound solutions
- Owns OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI’s through optimising buying strategies and OTB management,demonstratingflexibility in approach to maximise opportunities
- Responsible foroverseeingseasonal markdowns& communication to stores.
- Works efficiently & sets department priorities
Commercial Awareness
- Utilises knowledge of brand positioning and market analysis to help shape future strategies
- Overseesregular store visitsand competitor reviews.
Team Development
- To adopt a positive and proactive approach totheir owntraining and developmentas well as that of their peers.
- Influences & collaborates with key stakeholders on cross-functional projects & processimprovement
- Coaches and trains team, helping them toacquirethe skills & knowledge to be more effective.
- Regularly reviews team progress towards achieving goals
- Participates in company initiatives asappropriate.
- Empowersteam wellness & prioritisesteampsychological safety.
- Feels confident leading a team and can clearly delegate tasks.
Communications & Partnerships
- Creates andmaintainsstrong working relationshipswithinkey stakeholders.
- Collaborates and informs stakeholders on strategies & business goals.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems
- Effective communicator – able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences
- Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to ‘think outside the box’
- Able todemonstratelogical analysis andproblem-solvingskills.
- Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude
- Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time welltomeet deadlines.
- Can confidently and respectfully challengeothersopinions
- Demonstratesself-Awarenessof their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
- Able to build andmaintainproductive relationships withinteamenvironment.
- An expert in using Microsoft excel andBIreportingtools.
- Able todemonstrateresilience and remain positive during challengingperiods.
- Attention to detail.
- Regularlyrecognises& praisesgood work.
- Leads by example& shows desire to mentor juniormembers.
- Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product