Merchandise Planner

**_Location: _**

**_Alexandria, NSW Australia_**

**_ Full Time_**

**_ The Merchandise Planner: _**
- Analyses, plans, forecasts, and evaluates product performance data to execute the seasonal OTB and implement profitable merchandise strategies across all sales channels.
- This role is the strategic and analytical engine room of the Inventory & Merchandising Department and leads initiatives to continually improve sell-thru, margin and stock turn.
- The Merchandise Planner reports to the Head of Product, Merchandise, and Procurement to support the management of Inventory & Merchandising. They are a key leader in their department and uphold the _b_y charlotte_ brand spirit and culture in all aspects of the role.

**_ Requirements:_**
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant planning experience
- Advanced excel skills
- Comprehensive understanding of retail math
- Demonstrative analytical skills with a passion for data accuracy
- Organized and detail oriented
- Personable, team oriented with a can-do and solutions led outlook
- Proactive and able to work autonomously
- Able to translate insight into meaningful actions

**_ Role Function:_**

**_ Merchandise Planning and Strategy: _**
- Forms and executes Merchandise strategies through continual top-down and bottom-up analysis
- Develops and manages the OTB to ensure category growth and Design Team objectives are met (sales, markdowns, purchases, option count)
- Prepares and presents the OTB and option plan to the Design team per the Critical Path and purchasing benchmarks. Defines and sets the framework for new collections and aligns the Design team on planning, priorities, timeline, and commercial objectives
- Works with the Head of Product, Merchandising & Procurement and the Financial Controller to formulate FY merchandise budget and financial plans by metal mix
- Executes in-season forecasting reviews and manages communication between relevant stakeholders
- Supports post season analysis reviews and provides key insights to the Design and Development team for future success
- Develops and executes promotional reporting to provide key performance insights to help drive commercial business goals in alignment with Critical Path
- Assesses weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales to identify top and bottom performing categories and products. Highlights changing product trends and customer needs to meet market trends/ opportunities

**_ Inventory & Merchandise Support: _**
- Works with a high technical literacy to ensure effective stock management, and to execute seasonal, short term and long-term objectives
- Supports stock management processes of the _by charlotte_ business by strategizing and managing the product life cycle from delivery to distribution
- Aligns stakeholders and workflows to maintain calibrated and sufficient stock levels for all sales channels (tailored and total)
- Supports the functional team in managing the stock allocations for the retail channel, and in delivering monthly hindsight reviews & action plans to increase stock turn
- Reviews the retail channel’s stock models on a quarterly basis with the Junior Buyer to identify challenges and opportunities and present to the Head of Product, Merchandising and Procurement
- Supports the Inventory Team with optimal product flow between HQ and the Wholesale Channels to maximise sales
- Utilises weekly reporting to propose and implement in-season product movement to increase stock turn across all categories and metals
- Offers solutions to build where deficient, and streamline existing workflows to achieve better stock visibility, data insights and ensure best practice strategies are in play
- Advises the business on new integrations, programs, and inventory tools to optimise inventory related workflow, processes, and integrity
- Mentors the Inventory and Merchandise team to build capacities and support progression pathways

**_ Perks You'll Love_**
- Become an integral part of the _by charlotte_ vision
- Collaborative environment
- Inclusive, supportive, and creative work culture
- Generous staff discount
- Learning and up-skill opportunities