At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for Soft Accessories, ensuring collections are financially robust and creatively aligned.
- Company: Join Burberry's global Planning organisation in a dynamic luxury environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and grow talent within a high-performance team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the luxury fashion industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in divisional planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
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.
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
Qualifications
- 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
Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) in City of Westminster employer: Burberry
Burberry is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where creativity meets commercial acumen. As a Planning Manager in our Accessories division, you will not only lead strategic planning initiatives but also have the opportunity to mentor and develop talent within a high-performance team. Located in a vibrant city, Burberry offers competitive benefits, a commitment to employee growth, and a unique chance to be part of a globally recognised luxury brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Burberry or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that Planning Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Burberry's values and recent collections. Show us how your experience aligns with their vision for Soft Accessories. Tailor your examples to highlight your planning expertise and commercial mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make your dream job happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in collection planning and financial analysis, as these are key for us at Burberry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Soft Accessories category and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, be sure to mention specific examples where you've used your analytical skills to drive decisions or improve processes. We love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burberry
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics related to Open to Buy and margin planning. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with Merchandising, Supply Chain, or Finance in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and build strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Analysis Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making capabilities. Think about past experiences where you had to conduct scenario analysis to support commercial decisions. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a people manager, it's crucial to show your leadership style. Prepare to discuss how you've coached and mentored team members, and how you've built a high-performance culture. Share specific examples that illustrate your approach to developing talent.
