- Lead Retail & Wholesale Planning + Drive Strategy
- Manage and develop a high-performing Planning team of 5
- Competitive salary, bonus and career progression
Merchandise Planning Manager - SYDNEY
Leadership Opportunity
Are you a commercially driven Planning leader ready to shape strategy rather than simply execute it?
We're partnering with one of the world's most recognised fashion brands to appoint a
Merchandise Planning Manager to lead the Retail Planning function across Australia.
Reporting directly to the Director of Retail Planning, this is a genuine leadership opportunity where you'll influence business strategy, lead a high-performing team and drive commercial outcomes across forecasting, inventory, profitability and trade performance.
This is a highly visible position working alongside senior leadership, where your ability to influence, challenge and deliver results will directly impact business performance.
The Opportunity Leading a team of Planning professionals, you'll take ownership of the end-to-end Retail Planning function, ensuring the business achieves its financial objectives through best-practice forecasting, inventory management and commercial planning.
You'll work closely with Buying, Finance, Supply Chain and Retail Operations to optimise sales, maximise profitability and continuously improve planning capability across the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Planning and Allocations team.
- Own the retail planning strategy across forecasting, budgeting, inventory and profitability.
- Drive sales, margin and inventory performance through effective commercial planning.
- Lead monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes.
- Partner with senior leadership to influence strategic business decisions.
- Oversee OTB, replenishment, allocation and inventory optimisation.
- Develop markdown and clearance strategies to maximise profitability.
- Deliver meaningful reporting and commercial insights to executive stakeholders.
- Champion process improvements, automation and planning efficiencies.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships across Buying, Finance, Supply Chain and Retail Operations.
About You You'll be a strategic Planning leader who enjoys balancing commercial thinking with people leadership.
You'll ideally bring:
- Proven experience leading Merchandise or Retail Planning teams.
- Strong forecasting, budgeting and inventory management capability.
- Exceptional commercial acumen and analytical skills.
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
- A collaborative leadership style with a passion for developing people.
- Advanced Excel and retail planning systems experience.
- A continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive change.
Why You'll Love This Role:
- Join an internationally recognised retail brand.
- Lead a large Planning function with genuine strategic influence.
- Partner directly with executive leadership.
- Drive the future direction of the Planning department.
- Highly collaborative, fast-paced retail environment.
- Competitive salary package plus bonus.
- Excellent long-term career progression.
If you're an experienced Planning Manager or a Senior Planning leader ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now or contact JIVARO for a confidential discussion.
Reach out via: [email protected]