About Rip Curl
Founded in Torquay in 1969, Rip Curl is The Ultimate Surfing Company, born from a relentless pursuit for waves, adventure, and freedom, called ‘The Search’. Today, The Search continues to inspire all that we do, from the products we make, the events we run, the athletes we support, and the values we strive to uphold. Built by surfers, for surfers, Rip Curl is a global company that has been leading the surf industry for over 50 years. As a certified B Corp, we aim to prioritise people and planet in everything we do. The Search is calling… apply today and become part of The Ultimate Surfing company.
About Rip Curl
Founded in Torquay in 1969, Rip Curl is The Ultimate Surfing Company, born from a relentless pursuit for waves, adventure, and freedom, called ‘The Search’. Today, The Search continues to inspire all that we do, from the products we make, the events we run, the athletes we support, and the values we strive to uphold.
Built by surfers, for surfers, Rip Curl is a global company that has been leading the surf industry for over 50 years. As a certified B Corp, we aim to prioritise people and planet in everything we do. The Search is calling… apply today and become part of The Ultimate Surfing company.
This is a newly created role, offering the opportunity to establish and embed the allocation function from near scratch. As Allocations Manager, you will lead the Allocation function across Rip Curl, Ozmosis and Outlet channels, ensuring inventory is deployed effectively across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. You'll drive allocation strategy, inventory productivity, stock availability, process creation and implementation, while leading a team of Allocators and partnering closely with Buying, Planning, Retail, Digital and Supply Chain teams to deliver strong commercial outcomes.
What you’ll be responsible for
- Developing and leading allocation and replenishment strategies across multiple brands, regions and channels, including establishing the function, ways of working and core processes for a newly created department.
- Optimising inventory deployment to maximise sales, margin, stock productivity and customer experience.
- Leading allocation planning for seasonal launches, promotional activity and key trading periods.
- Monitoring inventory performance, stock availability, sell-through and inventory health to identify opportunities and risks.
- Leading, coaching, training and developing a high-performing allocation team, building capability and confidence through clear tools, processes and ways of working.
- Partnering with senior leaders across Buying, Planning, Retail, Digital and Supply Chain functions, bringing strong stakeholder management and influencing capability.
- Creating, implementing and continuously improving allocation processes, automation initiatives and allocation best practice.
- Building and enhancing allocation tools and reporting, using advanced Excel capability to turn data into practical decision-making tools.
- Leading change initiatives that strengthen inventory performance, embed new ways of working and support future business growth.
About you
You are a commercially minded inventory leader who thrives on turning data into action and building structure. You bring a strong understanding of retail allocation, replenishment and inventory optimisation, combined with the leadership capability to develop teams, create processes, implement change and influence business outcomes.
You enjoy working across multiple stakeholders, balancing competing priorities and making informed decisions that improve customer experience and commercial performance. You are confident bringing people on the journey, setting up practical ways of working and embedding tools and processes that support sustainable growth.
What you’ll bring
- Proven experience in allocation, merchandise planning, replenishment or inventory management within a retail environment.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of retail trading drivers, customer demand and inventory productivity.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including training, coaching and developing teams through change.
- Experience creating, implementing and improving allocation processes, systems, tools or operating models.
- Advanced analytical capability and advanced Excel skills, including the ability to build allocation tools, reporting and practical models to support decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to lead change and bring cross-functional teams on the journey.
- Experience working across retail, planning, buying, supply chain or operations functions.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands
At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves.
We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone.
We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.
Click APPLY and join us on The Search.
Join us in shaping a workplace where everyone belongs.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
