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- Tasks: Lead a Merchandising Planning team and identify growth opportunities.
- Company: Join Ralph Lauren, a global leader in premium lifestyle products with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a culture of inclusion, team development, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes future strategies and drives brand success.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, effective communication, and experience with planning tools required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with a focus on team empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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.
Position Overview
As Planning manager you will lead a Merchandising Planning team, overseeing a key Brand, and helping to find opportunities for growth. You will need to build close and store relationships with key partners within the business to help to capitalise on the future opportunities. A key part of the role is to coach and develop your team into the future leader of the business. This role is a 12 month FTC.
- Leads the department trading actions, aligning the team forecast with the overarching business financial plans
- Proactively assesses channel performance and leads decisions on stock optimisation
- Clearly sets out a line card process and ensures all stakeholders are clear on both the strategy and the performance
- An expert in the WSSI, quickly spotting trends and communicating risks and opportunities to senior managers.
- Understands how to translate long term sales plans into actionable department strategies for all KPIs
- Oversees inventory management and works cross-functionally, to provide solutions to reach end of season stock targets and average cost turn, communicating KPI impacts to senior leads
- Oversees hindsight assessment to formulate the financial building blocks required for strategy planning.
- Partners & influences buying counterparts to formulate the department forward price strategy, and able to critically assess the risks and opps associated, whilst providing sound solutions
- Oversees OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI’s through optimising buying strategies and OTB management, demonstrating flexibility in approach to maximise opportunities
- Works efficiently & sets department priorities
- 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 a team environment.
· An expert in using Microsoft excel and BI reporting tools.
· Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods.
· 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
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Merchandise Planning Manager employer: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Contact Detail:
Ralph Lauren Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandise Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Ralph Lauren's brand positioning and product categories. Understanding their unique market presence will help you articulate how your skills align with their merchandising strategies during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage your analytical skills by preparing to discuss specific examples of how you've used planning and forecasting tools in previous roles. Highlighting your experience with inventory management and stock optimization will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership abilities by preparing to discuss how you've coached and developed teams in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you've empowered team members and fostered a positive work environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Research current trends in the fashion industry, especially those relevant to Ralph Lauren. Being able to discuss these trends and how they might impact merchandising strategies will set you apart as a knowledgeable candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandise Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Merchandise Planning Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the job description.
Highlight Analytical Skills: Since the role requires a strong analytical mindset, emphasize your experience with planning and forecasting tools. Provide specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Abilities: Effective communication is key for this position. In your cover letter, mention instances where you've successfully communicated complex ideas to diverse audiences or collaborated with cross-functional teams.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: As a planning manager, you'll be expected to coach and develop your team. Include examples of your leadership style and how you've empowered others in past roles, showcasing your ability to mentor and guide.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ralph Lauren Corporation
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
As a Merchandise Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a strong analytical mindset. Be prepared to discuss your experience with planning and forecasting tools, and provide examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex strategies or performance metrics. Tailor your communication style to suit different audiences, as you will be interacting with various stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
Highlight your experience in coaching and developing team members. Share specific examples of how you've empowered your team, prioritized their well-being, and fostered a culture of inclusion and collaboration within your previous workplaces.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss past challenges you've encountered in inventory management or stock optimization, and explain the solutions you implemented to overcome these obstacles.
