Planning and Merchandising Manager in Chester

You will be working for the high growth womenswear brand Sisters & Seekers within a creative and visionary team, all striving towards taking the brand to the next level. We are based near Chester but have a global reach with customers all over the world. We are looking for an ambitious, driven and passionate individual who is looking to develop their career in a dynamic and expanding team at Seekers HQ. This position is a full-time role based in the office through Monday to Friday, with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lively Sisters & Seekers team, experience staff and community events, and if you’re camera ready, to be a part of our viral TikTok videos!

About The Role

We’re looking for a highly analytical and commercially minded Planning & Merchandising Manager to lead the forecasting, stock planning, and commercial performance of our product ranges — ensuring every collection lands with the right depth, balance, and profitability to hit our revenue goals. This role will own the full commercial planning lifecycle, partnering closely with Buying, Design, Growth, Finance, and our wider operations teams. You’ll be the central point for demand logic, stock strategy, and commercial visibility — ensuring we minimise risk, maximise opportunity, and enable the brand to scale with confidence. You’ll bring a data-first mindset, a sharp commercial eye, and a proactive approach to problem solving — ensuring our product strategy not only looks strong creatively, but performs exceptionally well in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Planning & Forecasting: Own the forward demand plan across categories, markets, and channels — ensuring alignment with the overall revenue target. Lead weekly reforecasting, identifying upside opportunities and risk areas early. Build seasonal and monthly contribution plans, ensuring a commercially balanced assortment. Translate performance signals, historic trends, and campaign insights into actionable forecasts.
• Range & Buying Alignment: Partner with the Head of Buying to shape range structure, category mix, and buy depth. Provide commercially grounded recommendations during range building and buy sign-off. Analyse previous sell-through, market performance, and seasonality to inform future buys. Ensure size curves, price points, and stock weighting support product strategy and financial goals. Own the business-wide view of stock performance, health, and risk. Identify slow movers, overbuys, ageing inventory, and gaps — proposing corrective actions quickly. Build and manage markdown strategies, clearance proposals, and re-merchandising plans. Protect cashflow by ensuring intake and stock cover align with commercial priorities.
• Trading & Performance Management: Lead the weekly Trading Review with Buying, Growth, and Finance. Monitor sell-through, rate of sale, margin performance, category contribution, and stock position. Recommend trading actions such as reorders, stock reallocation, campaign support, and repricing. Ensure product launches have clear commercial expectations and success criteria.
• Replenishment & Demand Logic: Develop replenishment frameworks for core lines, repeat performers, viral products, and channel-specific strategies. Set and manage replenishment triggers based on velocity, weeks cover, and demand forecasting. Work closely with Growth to align marketing pace and spend with available stock levels. Ensure our global markets have the right stock depth to support their growth.
• Process, Systems & Documentation: Maintain accurate forecasting tools, dashboards, and stock planning documents. Build reporting frameworks that provide clarity to senior leadership and cross-functional teams. Improve planning processes, ensuring commercial visibility is consistent and reliable across departments. Support Finance with OTB management, intake planning, and stock investment clarity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Buying & Design to ensure commercial insight is embedded into product development. Partner with Growth & eCommerce to align trading actions and campaign opportunities. Collaborate with Operations to manage intake flow, warehouse readiness, and stock movement. Provide visibility to Senior Leadership on commercial performance, stock risk, and forecast evolution.

About You

• Proven experience in Merchandising, Planning, Trading, or Demand Forecasting within fashion or a fast-paced DTC environment.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret complex datasets and make clear recommendations.
• Commercial thinker who understands product performance levers, revenue drivers, and stock efficiency.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple collections, deadlines, and cross-functional priorities.
• Excellent communication skills — confident presenting to senior stakeholders and challenging where needed.
• Experience working in a growth-led, trend-driven, or drops-led environment is highly desirable.
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets and familiarity with forecasting or BI tools.

What Success Looks Like

• Clear, confident commercial plans underpinning every product launch and seasonal range.
• Improved forecast accuracy and greater predictability across categories and markets.
• Reduced stock risk: fewer slow movers, healthier stock turn, and stronger cash visibility.
• Smooth, insight-led buying cycles with well-balanced ranges and appropriate depth.
• Cross-functional teams aligned around commercial targets with consistent visibility and communication.
• Strong sell-through performance that supports revenue targets and drives scalable growth.

We also offer:

• 50% off all products for you & family.
• 20 days Holiday + Bank Holidays.
• Gifted additional holidays (your Birthday and an additional day off at Christmas).
• Free on-site parking & EV charge points.
• Medical Cash Plan.
• Career progression, masterclasses and personal development plans.
• Fun, close-knit and energetic team culture.
• Collaborative and creative culture where your ideas drive impact.
• Apple Mac or Microsoft Hardware.

A leading womenswear fashion ecommerce company based near Chester. We began in 2017 from a back garden shed in Wrexham and have grown to be one of the most up and coming brands in this space within the UK. Friendly and welcoming, we are a team & community of like-minded individuals that still maintain the close-knit feel of a smaller company.