At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for Soft Accessories, balancing creativity and financial targets.
- Company: Join Burberry, a creative luxury brand committed to sustainability and community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with leadership opportunities and a focus on collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes the future of luxury and drives industry change.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning within luxury environments and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers, and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today. We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values‑driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a Planning Manager, Soft Accessories to join Burberry's global Planning organisation. This role sits at the heart of the Accessories division and is responsible for leading all planning activity across the Soft Accessories category, spanning pre‑season strategy through to in‑season trading. You will act as a trusted commercial partner to Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance and Regional Planning teams, ensuring collections are financially robust, creatively aligned and optimised for global performance. As a people manager, you will also play a key role in developing talent and embedding a high‑performance, collaborative culture.
Responsibilities
- Collection Development and Pre‑Season Planning
- Lead Global Open to Buy across pre‑season and in‑season for Soft Accessories
- Partner closely with Central Merchants to shape collections that balance creative vision and financial targets
- Identify and quantify financial risks and opportunities during collection development
- Own raw material forecasting and commitments, supporting on‑time delivery
- Deliver option productivity and hindsight analysis to inform future collection plans
- Drive pricing analysis across price bands and door tiers
- Collection Open to Buy and Market Buy Governance
- Deliver central Collection Open to Buy guidance and validate regional submissions
- Build Market Open to Buy guidance aligned to category strategies and final assortments
- Challenge regional buys to ensure alignment with guidance and revenue targets
- Assess carry‑forward, replenishment thresholds and re‑order quantities
- Provide unit forecasts to Supply Chain to support capacity planning and vendor negotiations
- In‑Season Trading and Inventory Management
- Deliver regular trade analysis highlighting risks, opportunities and recommended actions
- Provide stock rebalance recommendations to optimise inventory efficiency
- Manage re‑orders, pull‑forwards and delivery flows across Retail and Wholesale
- Optimise delivery flow in line with sales targets and supply chain constraints
- Partner with regional teams to deep dive performance and provide central support
- Coordinate free stock drops and support product lifecycle and delist decisions
- Margin Planning
- Conduct division and category margin analysis
- Embed margin targets into Global Open to Buy
- Deliver scenario analysis to support commercial decision making
- Leadership
- Coach and mentor team members, building long‑term capability within the planning function
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Deputise for the Director or Senior Manager when required
Personal Profile
- Proven experience leading divisional planning within a fast‑paced, luxury or premium environment
- Strong experience across Global Open to Buy, collection planning and margin planning
- A customer‑focused, commercial mindset with strong decision‑making capability
- Excellent analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with credibility at senior levels
- A collaborative leadership style with experience developing teams
- Bachelor's degree required
- SAP experience is advantageous
Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.
Burberry Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) employer: BoF Careers
At Burberry, we foster a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration, making it an exceptional employer for those seeking to thrive in the luxury fashion industry. Our commitment to employee development is evident through our focus on nurturing talent and promoting a high-performance environment, while our dedication to sustainability and community engagement ensures that you will be part of a purposeful brand that drives positive change. Located in a dynamic setting, this role offers unique opportunities to influence global performance and contribute to the next generation of sustainable luxury.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Burberry Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Burberry. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff. Research Burberry's values and recent collections. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Planning Manager role. Highlight your analytical skills and leadership style to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Burberry team.
We think you need these skills to ace Burberry Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:At Burberry, creativity is key! Make sure your application reflects your unique perspective and how you can contribute to our imaginative culture. Share examples of how you've pushed boundaries in your previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that align with the role of Planning Manager. Highlight your expertise in collection planning and margin analysis, and don’t forget to mention any relevant tools like SAP!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for the Soft Accessories category.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Burberry team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BoF Careers
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to Open to Buy, margin planning, and inventory management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Burberry values creativity, so think about how you can bring that into your interview. Prepare examples of how you've balanced creative vision with financial targets in past projects. This will show that you understand the brand's ethos and can contribute to their mission.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to collection planning or inventory management. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically, as this will highlight your decision-making capabilities.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves coaching and mentoring, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've developed talent in your team and fostered a collaborative culture. This will show that you're not just a planner, but also a people manager.
