Ralph Lauren Assistant Merchandise Planner

Overview

The assistant merchandiser supports the merchandising team in planning, analysing and executing product strategies that drive sales, margin and product inventory. The assistant merchandiser plays a key role in supporting reporting and trackers so the department can ensure the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities to meet customer demand.

• Update reports on a weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis.
• Actualises the department's WSSI weekly.
• Attend and prepare for weekly trade meetings and formulate and deliver a trade message independently.
• Provide accurate data to support analysis for key seasonal meetings including hindsight and sign offs.
• Update and forecast department line cards to maximise sales potential and optimise stock availability across channels.
• Systematically update seasonal recodes.
• Own the department stock delivery schedule and communicate updates to the team.
• Responsible for actioning seasonal markdowns and communication to stores.
• Participate in regular store visits, collating store reports prior and assisting in creating follow up presentations.
• Undertake competitor analysis on a regular basis and present any relevant points.
• Adopt a positive and proactive approach to training and development for self and peers.
• Promote improvements to working practices and systems.
• Participate in company initiatives as appropriate.
• Create and maintain strong working relationships within cross-functional teams:
  Buying, Allocations, ECOM and the retail store teams.
• Liaise with Assortment Planning and Buying partners to review and assist in the formation of seasonal lessons learnt. Influence future Buys, using analysis and historical data to ensure commercial decisions are made.

• Commercial and analytical capabilities.
• Effective communicator capable of conveying messages clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Able to work autonomously.
• Strong logical analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organization, prioritisation and time management to meet deadlines.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships within a team environment.
• Competent in using Microsoft Excel.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability or aptitude in retail mathematics and quick learning of technical applications.
• Resilience and a positive attitude during challenging periods.
• Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product.
• Allocation experience preferred.