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Merchandise Planner
Ralph Lauren
New York, NY, United States
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Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For nearly 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.
Purpose and Scope: Partner with Merchandising and Sales Leadership to develop a product line that is balanced by segment, classification, item by cluster which will nurture a mutually profitable Childrenswear business. Analyze historical and in-season selling to guide and determine classification plans for both Fashion Basics and Fashion concepts. Provide historical bookings and attribute information as needed when planning future seasons. Creation of Pre-market unit projections. Proactively communicate between the Merchandising, Sales and account planning teams.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic and Financial Planning Process
◦ Develop seasonal corporate financial goals based on product flow and classification percents by delivery. Analyze historical bookings, shipments and selling by utilizing Microstrategy Data Warehouse, SAP/BI and Global Front End System Reporting.
◦ Partner with Merchants to ensure that concept targets of the new architecture are being met each season. Manage models and analyze sales data in order to validate decisions or react to the performance of key concepts, classifications, and items that make up the architecture.
◦ Partner with Merchants and Management to evolve the architecture and ensure it is in line with RLC Division's overall business vision.
• Merchandise Planning Process
◦ Work with VP of Planning to review Merchandise Line Plan and confirm that sku needs are met for each classification and delivery.
◦ Effective scorecard development with fact based analysis that allows for product innovation without undue risk. Determine class goals and total units based upon delivery flow, budget, LY bookings, and current sales trends.
◦ Shop the competition and analyze competitive pricing to understand Polo's role in the market and identify opportunities. Study selling, past product and future styles. Understand sales trends: colors, silhouettes, fabrication.
◦ Manage Adoption and Line Ranking by creating MAPS that tie back to new architecture of Boys, Girls, and Baby by designated quarterly calendar date. Use historical intelligence of retail sales and bookings. Develop class percents and key item strategies. Create unit projection to achieve budget.
◦ Communicate any changes in the MAP due to re-ranks, design drops, Internal Line Review, etc. to sales teams.
◦ Develop and update Merchandising Initiatives to be sure by Sales during Line Opening. Initiates include Top Volume Drivers, color roll out, door counts, fashion concept placement chart, and pricing strategies.
◦ Develop with Merchandising new Key Items for Basic Stock Replenishment assortment to keep it current and in line with the demand of the market. Analyze BSR selling on quarterly basis with Merchants to keep assortments efficient and ensure it complements fashion line. track selling of styles that could be candidates to move to BSR assortment.
• Analysis and Reporting
◦ Assist in the preparation of reports which recap and reconcile each season's bookings based on Fashion and Fashion Basics ranks. These reports include corporate classification %s, bookings by concept in units and dollars, delivery flow, major key items by model and delivery (plan vs. actual).
◦ Manage Database and Microstrategy reporting. Update door clusters seasonally, to include new door adds and door closures. Ensure that tiering is on Annual Volume Cluster worksheets, excel MAP and that assortments are planned by door tier level. Ensure that Microstrategy accurately reflects door tiers and climate zones.
◦ Analyze Fashion and Fashion Basics selling reports to make recommendations to Merchandising regarding strategic product placement based on regional account needs and optimal product flow: this will involve folor, sizing, and amrket trend analysis. Understand seasonal selling by door tier and climate zones for pre-adoption MAP planning.
• Communication
◦ Collaborate with Merchandising and Sales to ensure Account plans tie to Corporate strategic merchandise direction, and that Account needs are communicated to Merchandising.
◦ Partner with Production and assist as needed in maintaining updated and accurate projections.
Qualifications:
• College degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years wholesale or department store retail buying/planning experience required in the apparel industry.
• Strong analytical skills and command of Retail Math.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong computer skills, excel focused.
• Self motivated and organized.
• Product knowledge in apparel industry, Childrenswear experience is preferred.
Ralph Lauren is an equal opportunity employer. We offer dynamic career opportunities with growth potential and a generous company discount.