At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive inventory and financial planning for EMEA retail, maximising profitability and enhancing customer experience.
- Company: Join SKIMS, a cutting-edge brand redefining modern apparel with a focus on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and wellness perks like ClassPass.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and impactful contributions.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fashion in a fast-paced, global environment.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in planning or finance, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials.
We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody.
At the intersection of culture, innovation, and commerce, SKIMS is a global brand redefining modern apparel.
Our teams are built on creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment where ambitious, curious, and values-driven individuals can do the best work of their careers.
As we drive towards expansion across EMEA, we are building world-class planning capabilities that support our owned retail, franchise, and wholesale businesses.
This role will play a critical part in ensuring inventory is optimized, commercial opportunities are maximized, and our regional growth is supported through data-driven decision making.
Position Summary
The Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA is responsible for driving inventory and financial planning across the EMEA retail business, supporting both owned stores and franchise partners.
This role partners closely with Merchandising, Buying, Supply Chain, Finance, Retail Operations, and Regional Leadership to develop sales plans, inventory strategies, and forecasting that maximize profitability while delivering an exceptional customer experience.
The ideal candidate combines strong commercial acumen with analytical expertise and thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
They are comfortable balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution and enjoy collaborating across multiple international markets.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop seasonal and annual sales, margin, inventory, and receipt plans across EMEA owned retail and franchise channels.
- Own weekly and monthly forecasting, identifying risks and opportunities while recommending actions to optimize performance.
- Analyze sales trends, inventory productivity, sell-through, stock-to-sales ratios, and key planning metrics to drive commercial decisions.
- Partner closely with Buying and Merchandising teams to build balanced assortments aligned with financial objectives and regional customer demand.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure inventory availability, allocation strategies, and replenishment plans support business needs.
- Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets and recommend inventory investments based on business performance and future demand.
- Support new store openings across EMEA by developing initial inventory strategies, launch plans, and ongoing sales forecasts.
- Partner with Franchise teams to monitor partner performance, inventory health, and seasonal planning requirements.
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews for regional and global leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, reporting, forecast accuracy, and inventory optimization.
- Build and maintain planning tools, dashboards, and reporting that provide actionable business insights.
- Support long-range planning, annual budgeting, and strategic commercial initiatives across the EMEA region.
- Develop strong cross-functional relationships with global Planning, Finance, Retail Operations, Logistics, and Commercial teams.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.
- 5–8 years of planning, merchandise planning, inventory planning, or financial planning experience within retail or consumer brands.
- Experience supporting both owned retail and franchise businesses is highly preferred.
- Strong understanding of Open-to-Buy (OTB), forecasting, assortment planning, inventory management, and financial planning principles.
- Experience working within an international or multi-market retail organization.
- Advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, complex formulas, and financial modeling.
- Experience with ERP, planning, and BI platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Anaplan, Net Suite, Tableau, Power BI, or similar.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate complex data into commercial recommendations.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills with confidence presenting to senior leadership.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Success Profile
The ideal candidate is
- Commercially minded and driven by delivering profitable growth.
- Naturally analytical with strong financial and numerical capability.
- Curious and proactive, always looking for opportunities to improve performance.
- Comfortable working in ambiguity within a rapidly scaling global business.
- Collaborative and influential, able to build strong relationships across multiple functions and international markets.
- Highly organized with exceptional project management skills.
- Confident making recommendations backed by data and commercial insight.
- Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
Benefits, Culture and Perks
Benefits and Culture
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
- Group Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Critical Illness
- Pension Scheme
- Modern Health
- Class Pass
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning employer: Socotra, Inc.
Choco is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to make a real impact in the food distribution sector. With a strong focus on professional growth, team members benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities, all while working in a vibrant environment that values diversity and collaboration. Located in a hub of technological advancement, Choco offers unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge resources and a network of industry leaders, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
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 Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning at Socotra, Inc.!
✨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 Socotra, Inc. or be willing to refer you for that Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning 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 Socotra, Inc. who’s on the lookout for their next Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
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 Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning role at Socotra, Inc.!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager, Franchise & Owned Retail – EMEA London Office, London, United Kingdom - Planning
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 Socotra, Inc.. 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 Socotra, Inc.
✨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 Socotra, Inc.. 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!
