Merchandise Planning Manager

Are you a commercially minded and data-driven planner with a passion for retail? Our client are a fast-growing eCommerce retailer looking for a dynamic Merchandise Planning Manager to join their team and play a pivotal role in shaping their product strategy and inventory performance.

About Them:

They're an ambitious online retailer with a loyal customer base and a strong brand presence in their niche. As they continue to scale, they're investing in their planning function to ensure they deliver the right products to their customers at the right time, while maintaining healthy stock levels and optimising profitability.

The Role:

As Merchandise Planning Manager, you'll be responsible for leading the planning process across all product categories. Working closely with Buying, Marketing and Operations, you will forecast sales, plan inventory, and drive strategies that maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage end-to-end merchandise plans across all categories and channels.

• Forecast sales, stock, and intake, ensuring alignment with business targets.

• Monitor performance against plan, analysing key metrics such as sell-through, margin, and stock cover.

• Partner with the Buying team to build balanced and commercial assortments.

• Manage Open-to-Buy and ensure stock investment aligns with cash flow and growth objectives.

• Identify risks and opportunities, making data-led recommendations to optimise trading.

• Support seasonal planning, promotional strategies, and markdown management.

• Collaborate with fulfilment and operations teams to ensure stock availability meets demand.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience in merchandise planning, ideally within an eCommerce or multi-channel retail environment.

• Strong analytical skills and confidence using planning tools and Excel.

• Commercial acumen and a keen understanding of customer behaviour.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced SME environment with a hands-on, can-do attitude.

What They Offer:

• A key role in a growing business with real opportunity to shape the future of the planning function.

• A supportive and collaborative team culture.

• Hybrid working options.

• Staff discount and other perks.

• Scope for growth and progression as the business scales.