Merchandise Planner

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

As FTC Merchandise Planner you will hold responsibility for brand and channel planning and trading to maximise the opportunities that drive the business forward. Reporting into the Merchandise Planning Manager and working in collaboration with the buying teams you will formulate the financial budgets and seasonal OTB down to category level while continually analysing performance to make recommendations that drive sales and manage stock levels.

Operation/Financial

• Critically analyses trade reports, and utilises own knowledge to influence forecasting & promotional/MD planning.
• Influence trade actions that impact Division/channel performance
• Drives and optimises line card process and communicates impacts to department KPI's to key stakeholders
• Ensures the department is maximising KPI opps and minimising KPI risks, through successful management of the WSSI.
• Understands long term sales plans and can translate this into department KPIs.
• Oversees inventory management process and works cross-functionally, to provide solutions to reach end of season stock targets and average cost turn, communicating KPI impacts to management
• Uses hindsight assessment to formulate the financial building blocks required for strategy planning.
• Partners & influences buying counterparts to formulate the department forward strategy, and able to critically assess the risks and opps associated, whilst providing sound solutions
• Owns OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI's through optimising buying strategies and OTB management, demonstrating flexibility in approach to maximise opportunities
• Responsible for overseeing seasonal markdowns & communication to stores.
• Works efficiently & sets department priorities
  
  

Commercial Awareness

• Utilises knowledge of brand positioning and market analysis to help shape future strategies
• Oversees regular store visits and competitor reviews.
  
  

Team Development

• To adopt a positive and proactive approach to their own training and development as well as that of their peers.
• Influences & collaborates with key stakeholders on cross-functional projects & process improvement
• Coaches and trains team, helping them to acquire the skills & knowledge to be more effective.
• Regularly reviews team progress towards achieving goals
• Participates in company initiatives as appropriate.
• Empowers team wellness & prioritises team psychological safety.
• Feels confident leading a team and can clearly delegate tasks.
  
  

Communications & Partnerships

• Creates and maintains strong working relationships within key stakeholders.
• Collaborates and informs stakeholders on strategies & business goals.
  
  

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems
• Effective communicator - able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences
• Able to work autonomously, results orientated and able to 'think outside the box'
• Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude
• Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well to meet deadlines.
• Can confidently and respectfully challenge others opinions
• Demonstrates self-Awareness of their impact on others & seeks feedback on ways to improve.
• Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment.
• An expert in using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
• Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
• Attention to detail.
• Regularly recognises & praises good work
• Leads by example & shows desire to mentor junior members.
• Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product