Senior Planner at Apparel Group

Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

01 Nov, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Sales Forecasting, Inventory Management, Trend Analysis, ERP Systems, MS Excel, Supply Chain Processes, Procurement, Distribution, Logistics, Assortment Planning, Budget Management, Analytical Presentations, Markdown Strategies, Performance Reviews, Core Product Availability, Inter-Store Consolidations

Industry

Retail Apparel and Fashion

Description

Objective: This position is responsible for leading pre-season and in-season merchandise planning by forecasting sales, managing inventory levels, and supporting the achievement of sales and margin targets. The role plays a key part in building buying budgets, driving category performance, and ensuring alignment between planning, buying, and retail operations. Key Responsibility: Pre-Season Planning Prepare and approve seasonal commercial strategies for assigned categories. Lead the development and release of buying budgets (OTB) and oversee assortment planning. Monitor range building, pricing controls, and intake margins to support planned sales and margin targets. Supervise initial stock distribution and store-level allocations to ensure optimal merchandise mix. In-Season Planning Reforecast sales and revise budgets based on in-season trends and performance. Monitor sales, identify underperforming areas, and implement corrective measures. Lead weekly trade meetings, conduct quarterly reviews, and deliver analytical presentations to management. Plan and execute discounting and markdown strategies aligned with inventory health. Oversee supply planning in coordination with supply chain and logistics teams. Operational Planning & Coordination Track LFL (Like-for-Like) growth and budget achievement across departments. Manage store-level inventory and ensure the availability of core products at all times. Launch new product categories in alignment with seasonal plans and ensure timely replenishment. Conduct regular inter-store consolidations to optimize inventory and maximize sell-through. Coordinate with the retail and buying teams on weekly reports, performance reviews, and corrective action plans. Flag inventory-related concerns to the Planning Manager and Buying Head for timely resolution. Assist in preparing detailed buying budgets and assortment plans per department. Desired Experience: 2-5 years of progressive experience in retail or merchandise planning, with a focus on sales forecasting, inventory management, and trend analysis. Proficient in ERP systems, MS Excel, and other Microsoft applications. Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes including procurement, distribution, and logistics. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

The Senior Planner is responsible for leading merchandise planning by forecasting sales and managing inventory levels. This role involves preparing seasonal strategies, overseeing budget development, and ensuring alignment between planning and retail operations.