Merchandise Planner

**Work options**: Hybrid

Hybrid working, 3 days on-site in our Dandenong South Support Office, 2 days WFH.
- Exciting opportunity to lead Planning across a large category
- Flexible working arrangements - work from home 2 days a week
- Growing ASX retailer with genuine career progression opportunities

**About the role**:
As Baby Bunting continues our journey to be customer first, we are seeking a Merchandise Planner to report directly into the Head of Planning. The** **Merchandise Planner** **will work closely with our buyers and planning analysts to ensure we have the right stock, in the right place, at the right time

We are looking for an experienced, strategic minded and data driven individual who will manage open to buy and work with a dedicated buyer to grow the portfolio and achieve strategic plans & budgets. Through thorough analysis and cross collaboration, this role will maximise sales and profit by optimising stock and deliver key profit objectives by working with key stakeholders in the business. Measuring success through financial planning and analysis, reforecasting and managing budgets in a dynamic but seamless fashion will be key to success of this role.

This role will be responsible for the leadership and professional development of one direct report.

**What’s in it for you**:

- A competitive salary + opportunities for salary packaging & novated leasing
- Career progression and development, join us in an exciting period of change
- Experience working with an Iconic Australian Retailer
- A supportive team environment that celebrates diversity and promotes job flexibility and a healthy work and family life balance - Hybrid working - 3 days in the office 2 days from home
- We have a new Support Centre and National Distribution Centre based in Dandenong South, featuring modern technology and facilities including a team member hub, onsite parking, Basketball court, BBQ area and outdoor Table Tennis.
- Opportunities to make discounted purchases on a great range of products and services for you and your family & friends

**Key deliverables**:
**Financial Planning**
- Build merchandise plans in Foresight Retail based on key metrics and work collaboratively with buyer and broader team.
- Replan Monthly and presenting in forecast review.
- Trade your portfolio to achieve maximum profitability.
- Contribute to executing business strategy with Buyer.
- Managing significant open to buy

**Product Distribution and Allocation**
- Forecast stock requirement to maximise revenue margin and stock turn performance.
- Work with Planning Assistants to quantify and flow right stock
- Quantify New store purchases based on like stores, planogram, and store turnover.
- Quantify new product lines with buyer

**Analysis and Reporting**
- Prepare weekly and monthly reporting to capture progress on key metrics, PLEX, SOO, SIT, vendor performance, availability in DC and network.

**Leadership Responsibilities**:

- Manage, lead and professionally develop the Planning Analyst**, **ensuring best-in-class ranging for members and customers.

**About you**:

- Extensive experience in developing and implementing merchandise planning strategies to achieve sales, margin, and inventory targets.
- Solid commercial and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong leadership and problem-solving skills
- Experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment with strong buying/category management experience
- Ideally, you will have been in a similar Merchandise Planning role for 4+ years

**About us**:
Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) is a purpose-led organisation which is experiencing an exciting period of growth, just over half-way through its store rollout (with more than 70 stores and a continuously growing network in Australia and New Zealand) and significant investment in transformation.

**You will also be rewarded with benefits like these**:

- We're accelerating our growth across Australia and New Zealand, which will create exciting personal development and career progression opportunities.
- We're making the most of flexible working, driving strong collaboration and supporting our teams virtually and flexibly - work 2 days from home.
- Team discounts
- We have a new Support Centre and National Distribution Centre based in Dandenong South, featuring modern technology and facilities including a team member hub, onsite parking, Basketball court, BBQ area and outdoor Table Tennis.
- Paid parental leave
- Novated lease options available
- You’ll be joining a dynamic, friendly team where you’ll be challenged and supported to achieve personal and business goals.
- A work environment that is highly collaborative, inclusive, and progressive.

**Does this sound like the right role for you?**

**Please note;**
- Due to the intimate and personal nature of o