Job Purpose:
The Assistant Manager – Merchandise & Retail Planning will support the planning, execution, and optimization of merchandise strategies to drive sales, improve inventory efficiency, and enhance in-store presentation. The role focuses on assortment planning, inventory management, sales monitoring, visual merchandising coordination, and vendor liaison to ensure optimal store performance across retail locations.
Key Responsibilities:
Merchandise & Assortment Planning
- Support assortment planning aligned with brand strategy, seasonal trends, and customer demand.
- Assist in buying support activities including product selection, range planning, and quantity forecasting.
- Ensure balanced product mix across categories, price points, and store formats.
Inventory Planning & Stock Allocation
- Plan and monitor inventory levels to achieve optimal stock availability and turnover.
- Execute store-wise stock allocation and replenishment based on sales performance and demand trends.
- Minimize stock-outs and overstock situations through proactive planning.
Sales Monitoring & Reporting
- Prepare and analyze daily sales reports and performance dashboards.
- Track sell-through, stock cover, aging inventory, and markdown effectiveness.
- Provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve sales and margins.
Visual Merchandising Coordination
- Coordinate with visual merchandising teams to ensure consistent and effective in-store presentation.
- Support implementation of VM guidelines to enhance customer experience and drive conversions.
- Monitor store-level VM execution and suggest improvements where required.
Vendor Coordination & Buying Support
- Liaise with vendors on order placement, delivery schedules, and timely replenishments.
- Track purchase orders and follow up on deliveries to ensure on-time availability of merchandise.
- Support negotiations and vendor performance evaluations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with sales, retail operations, warehouse, and finance teams to align merchandise plans.
- Support promotional planning and markdown strategies in coordination with stakeholders.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Fashion, Retail Management, Merchandising, or a related field.
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in merchandise planning, retail planning, or buying support.
- Strong understanding of retail KPIs including sell-through, stock turn, GMROI, and inventory aging.
- Experience working with ERP or retail planning systems is an added advantage.
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