Ralph Lauren Merchandise Planning Manager

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

We're looking for a Merchandise Planning Manager to join our amazing Menswear Planning team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Based in our Watford office, this is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in driving the planning strategy, partnering with cross‑functional teams, and helping shape the future of our Menswear business.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Operation/Financial

• Leads the department trading actions, aligning the team forecast with the overarching business financial plans
• Proactively assesses channel performance and leads decisions on stock optimisation
• Clearly sets out a line card process and ensures all stakeholders are clear on both the strategy and the performance
• An expert in the WSSI, quickly spotting trends and communicating risks and opportunities to senior managers
• Understands how to translate long‑term sales plans into actionable department strategies for all KPIs
• Oversees inventory management and works cross‑functionally to provide solutions to reach end‑of‑season stock targets and average cost turn, communicating KPI impacts to senior leads
• Oversees hindsight assessment to formulate the financial building blocks required for strategy planning
• Partners & influences buying counterparts to formulate the department forward price strategy, and critically assess the risks and opportunities associated, whilst providing sound solutions
• Oversees OTB process, influencing buying counterparts to meet department KPI's through optimising buying strategies and OTB management, demonstrating flexibility to maximise opportunities
• Works efficiently and sets department priorities

Commercial Awareness

• Utilises knowledge of brand positioning and market analysis to help shape future strategies
• Oversees regular store visits and competitor reviews

Team

• Adopts a positive and proactive approach to own training and development as well as that of peers
• Influences and collaborates with key stakeholders on cross‑functional projects and process improvement
• Coaches and trains team, helping them acquire the skills and knowledge to be more effective
• Regularly reviews team progress towards achieving goals
• Participates in company initiatives as appropriate
• Empowers team wellness and prioritises psychological safety
• Feels confident leading a team and can clearly delegate tasks

Communications & Partnerships

• Creates and maintains strong working relationships within key stakeholders
• Collaborates and informs stakeholders on strategies and business goals

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Strong analytical mindset and experienced in using planning and forecasting tools and systems
• Effective communicator – able to communicate messages clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences
• Able to work autonomously, results‑oriented and able to think outside the box
• Able to demonstrate logical analysis and problem‑solving skills
• Solution orientated with an entrepreneurial attitude
• Able to organise, prioritise tasks and manage time well to meet deadlines
• Can confidently and respectfully challenge others’ opinions
• Demonstrates self‑awareness of their impact on others and seeks feedback on ways to improve
• Able to build and maintain productive relationships within a team environment
• An expert in using Microsoft Excel and BI reporting tools
• Able to demonstrate resilience and remain positive during challenging periods
• Attention to detail
• Regularly recognises and praises good work
• Leads by example and shows desire to mentor junior members
• Desire to have fun at work and an appreciation for product

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