Overview
Merchandise Planning Manager Jobs in Paola, Malta at VF Group
Title: Merchandise Planning Manager
Company: VF Group
Location: Paola, Malta
We are seeking a dynamic Merchandise Planning Manager to drive inventory and sales planning strategies for our physical stores and e-commerce platforms.
This role is pivotal in aligning inventory levels with consumer demand, optimizing product availability, and maximizing sales performance across all channels.
The Merchandise Planning Manager will oversee inventory planning, sales forecasting, and assortment strategies to ensure seamless product availability across both physical and online stores. This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent collaboration skills, and experience in the fashion industry to support data-driven decision-making and enhance operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Sales and Inventory Planning:
Develop seasonal merchandise plans and sales forecasts for physical stores and e-commerce platforms.
Analyze sales trends to identify opportunities and ensure optimal stock allocation.
Manage open-to-buy (OTB) processes to align inventory with sales targets and financial objectives.
Inventory Management:
Monitor inventory levels across all channels, ensuring product availability and minimizing excess stock.
Conduct regular audits to maintain accuracy in stock counts and address variances.
Oversee stock transfers between physical stores and online fulfillment centers to support demand fluctuations.
Assortment and Range Planning:
Collaborate with buyers to plan product ranges and assortments that are competitive and aligned with customer preferences.
Ensure assortments meet commercial, seasonal, and regional needs for both physical and e-commerce channels.
Promotions and Pricing Strategy:
Assist in developing promotional tactics and pricing strategies to drive sales and profitability.
Evaluate the effectiveness of promotions and make recommendations for future campaigns.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
Analyze performance metrics, including sales, stock turnover, and profit margins, to optimize merchandise planning.
Generate regular reports and actionable insights to inform decision-making.
Identify slow-moving products and develop strategies to improve their performance.
Collaboration and Leadership:
Work closely with logistics, finance, and marketing teams to ensure seamless coordination of merchandise activities.
Partner with e-commerce teams to optimize digital merchandising, taxonomy, and sorting.
Lead stock-take processes and ensure data integrity during inventory assessments.
Customer Insights and Market Trends:
Gather customer feedback and market insights to influence future product planning and assortment strategies.
Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to maintain a competitive edge.
What We Are Looking For:
5+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or a related role within the fashion industry.
Strong analytical skills with expertise in forecasting, sales analysis, and inventory planning.
Proficiency in merchandise planning tools and systems; experience with e-commerce platforms and ERP systems (e.g., Shopify, Microsoft Dynamics) is a plus.
Excellent organizational and communication skills to collaborate across teams and departments.
A deep understanding of the fashion retail landscape, including both physical and online channels.
