This role is responsible for developing merchandise budgets, forecasts, and establishing store profiling and assortment plans to effectively manage trading across all channels. The Merchandise Planner is accountable for in-season trading, ensuring timely delivery of goods, and driving the planning team to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs). Working closely with the team, the role identifies risks and opportunities to drive sales and profitability in alignment with the divisional strategy.
**Please note that this is a 15 month contract**
Key Accountabilities
* Establish weekly budgets for sales, markdowns, stock, stock turn, margin, purchases, and gross profit (GP) by category across all channels within the division
* Develop seasonal option plans that align with the divisional strategy and financial KPIs, adjusting throughout the buying season based on design input and current/future trading conditions
* Ensure appropriate stock levels across each channel and store to maintain productive inventory while keeping aged stock within required levels
* Manage in-season trade, reviewing and recommending forward forecasts on sales, markdowns, stock, stock turn, margin, purchases, and GP for all channels
* Establish strong communication links with relevant channels, including Visual Merchandising, to align divisional strategies while providing feedback from stores and customers regarding the range.
Key Capabilities
* Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field
* Minimum 3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or a related role in a retail or FMCG environment
* Ability to assess complex data sets, identify trends, and make sound business decisions
* Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
Why work for CRG?
The Country Road Group is one of Australasia's largest Lifestyle Brand Houses comprising of iconic brands such as Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Here are some of the great things we offer:
* Generous employee discounts across our House of Brands
* Seasonal clothing allowance
* An additional day of leave for your birthday
* An Industry leading Parental Leave Program
* Flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance
* Annual learning calendar to support the ongoing development of our team
* Support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility Program
* We are committed to operating ethically, sustainably, and responsibly.
About Witchery
Part of the Country Road Group, Witchery is an Australian fashion brand, delivering on-trend pieces that capture fashion's latest mood. We're a daily source of inspiration, as we empower today's women to express themselves through our collections wherever their life or ambition may take them. With a heritage of outstanding quality and design, we mix directional must-haves with beautiful basics, then add the finishing touches by way of fashion-forward accessories. We are the Style Authority. We are Witchery..