Assistant Manager - Planning

Objective:

This position is responsible for supporting merchandise planning through accurate forecasting, effective inventory control, and strategic assortment planning. The role ensures optimized stock availability, improved sell-through, and achievement of sales and margin targets in alignment with business goals.

Key responsibilities:

• Build and analyze the P&L framework to support annual sales budget planning and profitability at the store level.
• Monitor weekly budget performance and like-for-like (LFL) growth for assigned departments; drive store teams to meet daily targets by responding to market demand changes.
• Manage inventory levels across stores and ensure stock availability aligns with planned sales and seasonal requirements.
• Conduct critical path analysis for seasonal stock launches, flag delays, and adjust stock covers based on real-time demand.
• Ensure optimal first-price sell-through and achieved margin targets for assigned departments each season.
• Manage and monitor open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory flows in line with sales forecasts.
• Plan product assortments in accordance with OTB and business needs to maximize sell-through and profitability.
• Maintain the right merchandise mix in stores based on guidelines and planned coverage.
• Track never-out-of-stock (NOS) items and maintain optimum levels in advance of seasonal peaks.
• Coordinate product launches and ensure timely replenishment of new categories and high-performing SKUs.
• Execute weekly inter-store transfers to optimize inventory allocation and minimize lost sales opportunities.
• Liaise regularly with operations, buying, logistics, finance, and marketing teams to align planning efforts with overall business goals.
• Monitor the business tracker for sales versus budgets, stock inflow, and replenishment using tools like WSSI (Weekly Stock Sales & Intake).
• Lead discussions on ageing inventory and recommend markdowns or promotions to ensure freshness and stock hygiene; execute markdowns in a phased approach to protect margins.
• Conduct periodic market visits to analyze competitor strategies, customer preferences, and pricing behaviors.
• Participate in regular business review meetings with brand principals to align planning with market conditions and brand directives.
• Develop and roll out incentive plans for store teams to drive sales motivation and frontline performance.

Desired experience:

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in planning or planning management roles within the retail industry.
• Demonstrated growth in responsibility and leadership across previous roles.
• Proven experience in leading cross-functional teams to drive planning outcomes.
• Skilled in mentoring and developing talent within planning or related departments.