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: Be part of a team that champions creativity and drives industry change.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in luxury planning, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Department: SC CENTRAL OPERATIONS
City: London
Location: GB
INTRODUCTION
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
- 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.
Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) employer: Burberry
At Burberry, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As a Planning Manager in our London office, you will not only play a pivotal role in shaping the future of luxury accessories but also benefit from extensive professional development opportunities and a commitment to sustainability. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued, and together, we can drive meaningful change in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 and give you insights that a job description 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 creative vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources. The more comfortable you are talking about your experience and skills, the better you'll shine during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Burberry family.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in divisional planning and any relevant skills that align with Burberry's values. We want to see how you can bring creativity and a commercial mindset to the table!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background fits with our mission at Burberry. Don’t forget to mention your experience with Global Open to Buy and collection planning.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical skills, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love numbers, so don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical prowess!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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 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
Burberry values collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams. Highlight your experience partnering with Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Finance to achieve common goals.
✨Emphasise Your Creative Side
While the role is heavily focused on planning, creativity is key at Burberry. Think of ways you've balanced creative vision with financial targets in past projects and be ready to discuss these during your interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to analyse hypothetical situations related to inventory management or collection planning. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies clearly and confidently.
