Ralph Lauren Associate Planner

Position Overview

Support Merchandiser in current season forecasting, trading and future season planning, in order to maximize sales and profitability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Accurately interpret trade reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis, summarizing key messages and actions.
• Utilize trade reports and own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
• Analyze channel availability and take necessary trading actions.
• Forecast WSSI to reflect short- and long-term risks and opportunities to KPIs, communicating impacts to planner.
• Contribute to hindsight analysis and forward strategies, communicating key learnings to planner.
• Support forecasting of line cards to maximize sales potential and optimize stock availability across channels.
• Oversee seasonal recodes.
• Oversee delivery tracker and amend forecasts to reflect risks and opportunities, demonstrating awareness of end-of-season stock targets and communicating this to planner.
• Respond to seasonal markdowns and communicate to stores.
• Lead regular store visits, analyze store reports prior to and present feedback to team.
• Understand where RL fits within the retail environment through comprehensive competitor analysis, identifying opportunities & risks.
• Adopt a positive and proactive approach to training and development for self and peers.
• Promote improvements to working practices and systems.
• Provide support to new team members, ensuring they understand training given and department processes.
• Support team in achieving personal goals.
• Participate in company initiatives as appropriate.
• Participate in team wellness & prioritize psychological safety.
• Create and maintain strong relationships within cross-functional teams: Buying, Allocations, ECOM, and retail store teams.
• Liaise with Assortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in forming seasonal lessons learned, influencing future buys with analysis and historical data.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Strong analytical and numerical mindset.
• Effective communicator – able to convey messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.
• Able to work autonomously, results-oriented and think outside the box.
• Demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Solution-oriented and embraces change positively.
• Organizes, prioritizes tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
• Shows self-awareness of impact on others & seeks feedback for improvement.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships within team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and BI reporting tools.
• Detail-oriented.
• Regularly recognizes & praises good work.
• Leads by example & is a good associate role model.
• Has a desire to have fun at work & an appreciation for product.

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