At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate the Planning function for New Balance's EMEA commercial team.
- Company: Join a dynamic sports brand with a passion for excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of planning.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Sales Planning or Commercial Operations within sports or fashion.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
- Build, lead and own the Planning function across New Balance's EMEA commercial organisation
- Establish the EMEA Commercial Planning function as a centre of excellence and competitive advantage
- Develop a high-performing team of Sales, Category and Business Planners across markets and channels
- Define the EMEA planning operating model, governance, cadence and ways of working
- Represent Sales Planning on the EMEA Commercial Leadership Team
- Lead end-to-end pre-season planning for the full New Balance EMEA portfolio across sales channels
- Define pre-season assumptions, revenue targets and investment priorities with Sales, Merchandising and Finance
- Establish account planning frameworks aligned with channel strategies and brand priorities
- Build and maintain integrated forecasting connecting sell-in, sell-through and inventory across EMEA markets
- Govern the planning calendar and enable in-season adjustments
- Build and oversee commercial reporting on sell-through, inventory, reorder trends, market share and competitor benchmarking
- Establish data standards, KPI frameworks and analytical toolkits across markets, categories and channels
- Transform complex data into executive-ready insights and commercial recommendations
- Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis across products, consumers, categories and competitors
- Build a Commercial Planning community of practice across EMEA
- Identify and action in-season opportunities including re-orders, stock rebalancing and overstock mitigation
- Build commercial action plans at account, category and market level
- Support distribution development and sell-out improvement with data-led recommendations
- Develop, manage and recruit a high-performing Sales Planning team across EMEA
- Foster accountability, innovation and collaboration across cross-functional partners
- Champion cross-border collaboration with global New Balance associates
- Raise the analytical and commercial capability of the planning function
Requirements
- Relevant experience in Sales Planning, Commercial Operations or Business Planning within sports, footwear or fashion/FMCG, with significant EMEA or multi-market scope
- Proven track record of building and developing a planning function
- Deep understanding of sell-in/sell-through dynamics, P&L drivers, inventory management and commercial KPIs in wholesale and key account environments
- Preferably strong understanding of the sporting goods and/or lifestyle retail landscape
- Genuine passion for the sports industry and the New Balance brand
- Ability to build high-performing, cross-cultural and remote teams
- Proven capability to develop talent, build clarity and drive accountability
- Exceptional analytical capability and ability to make complex data actionable
- Experience designing and implementing planning systems, tools and forecasting methodologies at scale
- Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships across Sales, Finance, Merchandising, Marketing and Customer Service
- Experience leading or centrally contributing to organisational transformation
- Enterprise thinking connecting Sales Planning to P&L outcomes, commercial strategy and brand health
- Values-driven, resilient under pressure, adaptable to change and committed to accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Degree educated preferred
- Fluent in English; additional European language(s) a strong advantage
- Willingness to travel across EMEA as required (15%)
- Core Competencies
Demonstrates expertise in Sales Planning, Commercial Operations, and Business Planning within the sports and footwear industry, with a strong focus on developing high-performing teams and actionable insights from complex data.
Proven ability to establish planning frameworks, govern processes, and drive accountability across cross-functional partners.
- Highest-signal resume keywords
- Sales Planning
- Commercial Operations
- Inventory Management
- Analytical Capability
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- ATS Optimization Keywords
- Hard Skills
- Forecasting Methodologies
- P&L Management
- KPI Development
- Data Analysis
- Planning Systems Design
- Soft Skills
- Team Development
- Accountability
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Innovation
Certifications & Qualifications
- Degree Educated
- Industry Keywords
- Sports Industry
- Footwear
- FMCG
- Wholesale
- Key Account Management
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Commercial Planning Director, EMEA in Warrington employer: Jobtailor
As a Client Services Coordinator at our dynamic company, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer comprehensive training, opportunities for advancement, and a collaborative environment where your contributions are valued. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys a healthy work-life balance and the chance to engage with diverse clients, making every day rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Planning Director, EMEA in Warrington
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Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Commercial Planning Director, EMEA at Jobtailor!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Jobtailor or be willing to refer you for that Commercial Planning Director, EMEA position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Jobtailor who’s on the lookout for their next Commercial Planning Director, EMEA star!
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Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Commercial Planning Director, EMEA role at Jobtailor!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Planning Director, EMEA in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Jobtailor. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobtailor
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Jobtailor. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
