At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for Soft Accessories, balancing creativity and financial targets.
- Company: Join Burberry, a pioneering luxury brand committed to sustainability and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of luxury fashion, driving innovation and 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.
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
- 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) in London employer: FashionUnited Group
Burberry is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and inclusive work environment, encouraging diverse talents to thrive. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in England, Burberry offers a collaborative culture where innovation is celebrated, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in the luxury fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager, Soft Accessories (FTC) in London
✨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) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Planning:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for planning shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with the role of Planning Manager, especially in the Soft Accessories category. Make it personal and relatable!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don't just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Share specific examples of how you've led planning activities, managed collections, or optimised inventory. This helps us understand your impact and how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to Burberry's values and the job description. Highlight your customer-focused mindset and any experience in a luxury environment. We love seeing candidates who resonate with our brand ethos!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. 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 at Burberry!
How to prepare for a job interview at FashionUnited Group
✨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 any experiences where you partnered with merchandising or supply chain teams to achieve common goals.
✨Understand the Brand's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Burberry's commitment to creativity and sustainability. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of luxury and community impact.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare scenarios where you've identified financial risks or opportunities in collection planning. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
