At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and craft strategies for product success across various channels.
- Company: Join Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a global leader in fashion retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while collaborating with creative teams.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, merchandise planning experience, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Planners are the strategic drivers of our product teams, shaping the inventory and financial strategy behind every product. Interpreting and balancing current sales, inventory analysis, financial goals, and emerging trends, our Merchandise Planners build the strategies that maximize our product success and profitability. Planners forecast future product performance, establish sales strategies across domestic, international, and e-commerce channels, and strategically manage our inventory around the world.
This job is located at our EMEA Home Office London, England and reports into the Planning Director.
What Will You Be Doing?- Driving sales and margin for your brand gender by crafting your assortment architecture and strategizing brand gender and mid-level plans by region and channel.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop business strategies, managing profitability, and reacting to change while making strategic decisions based on current sales and inventory information.
- Researching the global market and leveraging that information to build the most compelling and profitable financial plan.
- Forecasting and implementing product distribution strategies by analyzing sales data and store inventory levels, incorporating variations by channel.
- Clearly presenting selling and inventory analysis and performance-to-plan results and strategies to senior leadership, providing insight on selling analysis, customer insights, and trend ideas.
- Building department level costing, revenue, and merchandise financial planning strategies by channel and region to achieve growth in key performance indicators.
- Direct line management responsibilities for a team of Item Planners.
- Bachelor's Degree or related experience.
- Passion for the A&F brands and the role.
- Prior merchandise planning experience is preferred.
- Proven leadership experience.
- Ability to thrive in team-based settings and a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional partners.
- Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate confidently with senior-level leaders.
- Ability to balance between robust analytical capability and an interest in the creative process.
- Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Desire & curiosity to learn more.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs. The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.
Senior Planner - EMEA employer: Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides comprehensive training and support, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Additionally, A&F Co. values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all associates feel empowered and valued in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner - EMEA
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Abercrombie & Fitch!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner - EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Abercrombie & Fitch, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Abercrombie & Fitch and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Abercrombie & Fitch that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abercrombie & Fitch
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
