Burgundy Hospitality - Senior Manager - Merchandise Planning

This year, Burgundy Brand Collective will be launching a leading luxury kidswear brand in India. The Merchandise Planning Senior Manager will play an important role in establishing the brand and its success in India. The role will suit a highly entrepreneurial Merchandiser with exceptional experience in fashion merchandising in India.

The Merchandise Planning Manager will use a data-driven approach to optimize sales, margin and inventory in an omnichannel environment. They will forecast future seasonal demand at category - subcategory level for each region, maximize sell-thru in-season by collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

1. Define the sales plan and OTB for a retail and e-commerce luxury kidswear business.

2. Develop the merchandise strategy, using data-driven input from sales trends, market conditions and supplier demands to drive profitable decision-making.

3. Develop and provide buying with category assortment recommendations plans and sizing analysis by channel and sell-through reports at SKU Level by stores which are aligned with the merchandise strategy and proactively suggest improvements to optimize revenue and profitability through what-if scenarios.

4. Monitor inventory aging and recommend actions on markdowns and liquidation to achieve inventory targets considering Category and Brand identity.

5. Drive pricing strategy and plan seasonal markdowns by item to maximize sales and gross margin in collaboration with Buying and Retail.

6. Assess and highlight risks and opportunities on sales, gross margin and inventory, based on supply or demand gaps, recommending possible solutions.

7. Re-plan business in-season based on latest performance and present it to management with recommendations.

8. Monitor inventory mix in each location and recommend seasonal stock transfers, if needed, in order to boost sales.

9. Developing relations with brand partners and managing day-to-day queries and liaising.

Skills and experience required:

1. 6+ years of experience in planning in Fashion Retail and/or accessories.

2. Highly analytical and data-driven working comfortably with quantitative figures.

3. Advanced knowledge of Excel and MS Office and planning tools.

4. Experience in forecasting, merchandise planning, allocation, replenishment and financial planning processes and systems.

5. Commercially minded problem-solver with a proven track record of delivering financial targets.

6. Strong stakeholder management, aiming for a win-win solution.

7. Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

8. Knowledge of retail & fashion business.

9. Communicate candidly and value open debate to ensure the best ideas come to life, collaborating with stakeholders.

10. A self-starter who can take a high level of ownership and can work in a new business environment.

11. Process-oriented with an ability to build robust systems and processes

12. Strong English communication skills.

13. Kidswear and accessory merchandise planning experience is advantageous. Retail merchandising experience is mandatory.

Location: Mumbai