At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise sales and inventory through strategic planning and analysis.
- Company: Join lululemon, a leader in innovative performance apparel.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work environment with competitive pay and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on innovation and personal responsibility.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that drives positive change and connects communities.
- Qualifications: 3-7 years in planning/merchandising and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)
Time Type: Full-time
Who we are: lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. We create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. Our success is attributed to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. We focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future, including creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
About this team: The EMEA product team translates global product strategies into regionally relevant execution, ensuring we have the right assortment in the right place at the right time. Our aim is to fulfil our guests’ unmet needs, grow our brand, and deliver on our long-term enterprise goals. We possess deep awareness of our regional guest needs and use this knowledge to identify opportunities to expand guest demand. We monitor the business regularly, understanding changes in trend and reacting to maximise sales and mitigate risk. Teamwork and clear communication are essential.
A day in the life: what you’ll do:
- This position is responsible for maximising the in-season trading of their category, including forecasting sales targets, markdowns, gross margin, and open to buy management.
- Make recommendations for key financial meetings/decisions to maximise sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
- Monthly plan review process: develop sales, markdown, receipt, and inventory re-forecasts.
- Collaborate with North America planning team to capitalise on inventory opportunities by identifying transfers or pullbacks.
- Analyse historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities to business and recommend strategies to achieve financial goals.
- Execute detailed analysis to drive category performance.
- Develop sales projections and inventory flow for key items.
- Drive financial results that maximise sales, inventory, and bottom line profitability.
- Prepare and participate in Merchandise Review meetings.
- Provide support to Merchandising to actively manage product assortment throughout the season.
- Partner with the Merchants on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt, and inventory.
- Develop projections and inventory flow for key items/collections.
- Analyse and reflect current trends in performance of strategy based on actual sales performance; revise in-season plans for sales and profitability; control inventory levels.
- Exhibit initiative to look beyond the everyday business to find opportunities to maximise sales potential.
- Provide other analysis related to driving business goals.
Qualifications, skills & experience:
- 3-7 years proven planning/merchandising experience within a vertical retailer preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Program and mastery in Excel.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments.
- Strong understanding of season-to-season business performance and ability to drive business based on key financial indicators.
- Excellent team player as well as the ability to work independently.
- Extremely organised, thorough, and able to prioritise.
- Detail oriented.
- Strong ability to see the merchandise vision and translate it into viable plans.
- Self-directed problem solver, proactive and resourceful.
- Responsible, dependable, and mature, with sound judgment.
- Results oriented - strong sense of motivation.
- Capable of effective multiple demand management from a variety of sources and adapts well to change.
- Ability and willingness to accept and provide feedback.
Must haves:
- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility.
- Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
- Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
- Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working.
Role Classification: Your role is classified as Hybrid under our global SSC Hybrid Workplace Policy. In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed at both the SSC office and home office every week.
Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and not on protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.
Regional Merchandise Planner employer: Lululemon Athletica
Lululemon is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity, making it an ideal place for the Regional Merchandise Planner role. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and collaboration, team members are encouraged to take initiative and contribute to meaningful projects that drive both personal and professional development. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility while maintaining essential in-person connections, ensuring a supportive environment where employees can thrive and make a positive impact in their communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Merchandise Planner
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Lululemon Athletica, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Lululemon Athletica!
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Merchandise Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Lululemon Athletica, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Lululemon Athletica and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Lululemon Athletica that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lululemon Athletica
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
