Planner (14 Month Contract)

Holt Renfrew offers you an inspiring, fashion-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow. From our incredible partnerships with iconic luxury brands, to our commitments to corporate social responsibility, you will be inspired every day.

The Planner (14 Month Contract) is responsible for collaborating with the buying team to provide a merchandise management framework to drive the business and maximise profit. The role delivers detailed multi-dimensional plans, forecasts and analysis that enhances assortment decisions, vendor negotiations, inventory and markdown management.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and own merchandise plans that align with corporate strategy and deliver maximum full price sales and profit
• Build a strong partnership with merchant/buying counterparts, to collaborate on planning decisions and opportunities
• Produce and Interpret appropriate levels of end of season analysis to support optimising planning and buying decisions
• Manage plan integrity across all relevant hierarchies including merchandise, store and seasons
• Maintain plans across all relevant metrics including sales, markdown, margin, receipts and other inventory actions
• Manage in season performance through the reforecasting cycle to improve inventory productivity and drive profit
• Maintain forecasts across all relevant metrics and hierarchies to ensure a clear understanding of opportunities and risks
• Produce and interpret appropriate levels of in-season analysis to drive inventory recommendations & decisions
• Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to follow through on opportunities to mitigate risk and drive sales, full price sell-through & profit
• Work with Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts to manage inventory levels to maximise opportunity across the network
• Where relevant, maintain accurate Demand Forecasts/Auto-Replenishment models and manage open to buy accordingly
• Manage markdown inventory and proposals on price reductions to drive profitable sell-through
• Collaborate with merchant/buying counterparts to identify slow moving items and propose markdowns
• Review markdown performance, liaise with stores and supply chain to drive opportunities
• Calculate and propose relevant further price reductions and actions to balance margin and off-price sell-through
• Work with buyers to produce a recode proposal that ensures optimised inventory performance
• Forecast and follow-up on performance of promotional, marketing and other events
• Make recommendations on event activity based on inventory performance analysis
• Predict sales and profit impacts and identify relevant inventory alignment and actions
• Produce analysis on event results and interpret future opportunities
• Take the opportunity to participate in and champion projects
• Develop the knowledge and skills of Assistant Planners and Allocation Analysts
• Collaborate with peers across planning to ensure consistent, best practice processes, systems and reporting
• Prepare performance presentation data where requested
• Present findings and results to cross functional audiences as required
• Build effective partnerships with internal contacts e.g. buyers, stores, supply chain, finance, marketing
• Develop processes, systems and reports
• Perform other duties as assigned

Ideal Characteristics

• Post-secondary degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of successful experience in a merchandise planning business unit
• Excellent financial acumen, strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated influencing skills with the ability to get things done
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Confident and effective written & verbal communicator
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and use of ERP and Merchandise Planning systems
• Passionate about fashion and luxury retailing

Holt Renfrew is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our future success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all our employees -- their diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences make our business stronger. If you are contacted for a job opportunity and require accommodation, please email careers@holtrenfrew.com and let us know so we can ensure you have an accessible candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. All requests are confidential and used only to meet candidate needs.

Hiring Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00

Final compensation for this position will be determined based on the candidate's unique skills, expertise, individual qualifications, and assessed contributions to the role following the completion of the interview process. The range stated is the starting range for this position. Offers may vary with experience, qualifications, performance, and local market conditions. We strive to offer competitive compensation that aligns with a candidate's contributions to our team, along with a comprehensive benefits package, enticing perks, pension matching, incentives, and our coveted employee discount.