Merchandise Planner

**Who are we?**:
We are one of Australia’s most-loved retail brands and a dedicated team of over 12,000 people. For almost 100 years we have held a special place in the hearts and minds of Australian families.
We are unstoppable in our drive to digitally transform Target to delight our customers every day through a multi
- channel shopping experience.
There’s never been a more exciting time to join our team.

We are an iconic Australian brand

With our instantly recognisable logo, we are one of the most iconic brands on the Australian retail market. From first baby clothes to first fashion moments, we have created special memories that families across the country hold dear. By making affordable quality and style accessible for all, we have built a reputation for helping Australian families live better.

We are a great place to work and grow

We are a close-knit team led by passionate and supportive leaders who are committed to helping you be your best. You’ll be challenged and inspired in equal measure as we continue to transform our business.

We are also excited to announce that we will be moving to an amazing new office building at One Middle Rd -Chadstone the heart of Fashion retail in 2025

That’s who we are. That’s Target.

**What will you do?**:
With the ongoing growth within Target we are looking for a passionate Merchandise Planner with Childrenswear Apparel experience to join a fun & supportive team within a fast-paced & dynamic environment to drive our strategy & play a key part in the growth of our Apparel functions.

You are responsible for maximising sales and profit through the effective management of the department range architecture and product assortment and ensuring that the commercial plan is executed to deliver the department strategy. Accountable for inventory health and balancing customer facing availability with stock productivity.

You will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop strategies and processes to drive sales and profitability in line with Target’s values. This is a pivotal role where you can make an impact across our stores and the wider merchandise team through superior planning skills of our inventory.

**Other responsibilities will include**:
Merchandise KPI’s/Strategic Direction for Assigned Category
- Working with BM/PM/DMM to set strategic direction for category and communicate/implement with team.
- Implement departmental strategy with team to develop plan that achieves sales, profit and inventory targets.
- Financial Management - Managing categories on an ongoing basis ensuring merchandise financial plan remains within business expectations and KPIs.

Manage/Trade a Dept in Planner Role
- Ensure key deliverable KPI’s such as Sales, Profit, OTB and inventory are managed within agreed parameters.
- Work with Buyer to ensure product strategy is in line with strategic objectives.
- Strong experience in price architecture and product assortment ranging in a large volume retailer.

Category Partnership Management
- Management of supplier range plans to ensure alignment to the Target strategy.
- Support the Buyer to develop the category strategy by developing & managing the category budget and forecast.
- Accountable for allocation strategies, incorporating the merchandise plan and flow strategy to meet store inventory needs providing guidance to inventory controller and Demand Planner
- Build and execute the sales, gross margin and inventory plan, at a weekly/monthly/season level, within Merch planning tool.

**What are we looking for?**:
We're looking for a commercially savvy individual who will bring a curious and data-driven mind-set as well as a passion for all things Retail You love focusing on product, customers are always front of mind and building and managing relationships with a variety of key stakeholders is one of your strengths.

To be successful in this role you will have experience as follows:

- Strong commercial acumen and numerical skills, high levels of attention to detail. Advanced Planning Skills - Forecasting, OTB management, Financial Skills and Strategic thinking.
- Ability to observe, interpret and act upon trends in customer behaviour.
- Highly inquisitive, self-driven with strong organisation skills in a fast paced retail environment.
- Quantification of individual products over time.
- Strong in range architecture and product assortment experience.
- Ability to articulate observations, reasons for actions taken and high levels of persuasiveness.
- Proficient with business intelligence tools, Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Demonstrated ability to complete accurate product plans, replans, prepare financial budgets and department performance analysis
- Ability to optimise stock turn through sales forecasting, stock flow and product planning expertise
- Proficiency in use of merchandise planning software such as enterprise planning (Blue yonder)/JDA, SAP, Oracle etc.
- Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Business, Commerce or Retail r