Kathmandu Merchandise Planner

About Kathmandu…

Kathmandu is a leading global outdoor brand whose journey began in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 1987. We believe out there is where we thrive. It liberates, challenges, and inspires us. Our gear is built to empower, so more people can embrace adventure. It's tested in New Zealand's wildest conditions — because if it performs here, it can handle anywhere. As a proud certified B Corp, we prioritise people and planet in everything we do — out of respect for the natural world that inspires us. Our pioneering approach to sustainable innovation ensures every product is built to perform and made with a lighter impact on the environment.

We've been out there for almost 40 years living our best lives. Now you can too. Join us on our mission to improve the wellbeing of the world through the great outdoors.

A little bit about the role…

As a Planner, you will work closely with your Product and Buying Partners to develop and deliver the Merchandise strategy. You will drive the merchandise planning function for your categories, across our Sales channels and regions with the view to maximising sales and gross profit, & customer expectations while minimizing inventory levels. You will work cross functionally as a key partner in the Product to Market Critical Path, forecasting and budgeting process, and in-season management of reporting, forecasting, and demand planning.

Day to day responsibilities include:

• Range Planning: Demonstrate an understanding of your market, current performance and future opportunities, supporting the development of the range through critical analysis, understanding of the core product sales and inventory requirements and the GAP opportunity in the range, sales and profit plans
• Inventory Planning and Management: Develop Merchandise Financial Plans supporting the S&OP process and sign off of Sales, Profit and inventory plans for the next 18 months.  Support this with an understanding of the key drivers, impact of promotional and lifecycle plans and the channel and format needs that elevate Kathmandu as a leader in the Outdoor Retail sector.
• Review and approval of inventory purchase commitments: Define the OTB and manage/ optimise the spend across your categories ensuring approval processes are adhered to, and timely execution with the purchasing team is delivered to drive operating results.
• Work with your allocations and store teams: Enable effective assortments and inventory levels in a strategic and collaborative manner ensuring consideration to space, flow and sales opportunities.

This is what you'll need…

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to present insights and influence stakeholders at all levels of the company
• Strong analytical ability, innovative with a common-sense approach to problem solving
• High level of attention to detail with high standard of numerical and written accuracy
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise accordingly, and have good time management skills.
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality
• Proactive and initiate process establishment and change
• High level in Excel, analytics, Microsoft 365, ERP system skills

Qualification & Experience Requirements…

• Business related tertiary qualification
• Demonstrated knowledge for planning and analysis
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands

At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves.

We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone.

We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.

APPLY HERE - Join us in shaping a workplace where everyone belongs.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.