Planning Manager

INTRODUCTION

Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, Burberry is a global luxury brand with a distinctly British attitude. We are a global business with an extensive network of both owned and franchised stores across EMEIA, Asia Pacific and Americas. We are digital pioneers, and innovative technology underpins every aspect of our business, from product design to distribution and marketing. We believe that modern luxury means being socially and environmentally responsible; this mindset is core to our business and key to our long-term success.

JOB PURPOSE

This position will manage planning activities in their respective region for both Mainline and Outlet within Burberry's global planning organisation. They will embody the Burberry values and contribute to a culture of simplification, innovation and collaboration and drive excellence in their respective region.

They will be responsible for:

• Taking the lead in managing the Rolling Open to Buy for Mainline as well as Outlet and Collection Open to Buy process
• Leading the partnership and ensuring alignment with Merchandising, Allocation, Regional Finance and Central Planning teams on Open to Buy, lifecycle, fiscal risks, opportunities, markdown and inventory management
• Accountable for commercial insights in driving in-season decisions to maximise inventory, drive sales and deliver margin targets
• Strategic and controlled inventory management balancing inventory liquidation and brand integrity
• Connecting, guiding and influencing all functions, including APAC Outlet Planning and Allocation, Wholesale, VM, Logistic and Store Operations

RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial Planning Excellence

• Accountable for the management of the Rolling Open to Buy for both Mainline and Outlet
• Accountable for the management of regional inventory within budget targets
• Accountable for top line sales target and identifying sales opportunities and risks through effective strategic planning and guidance in line with overall annual sales/inventory strategy
• Responsible for the Collection Open to Buy alignment with Regional Merchants for sales and inventory ahead of each collection, including focus stores and clusters
• Responsible for owning the partnership and leading communication of Collection and Rolling Open to Buy's to Central teams based in London
• Responsible for the review of collection buys with Merchants, focusing on key investments ensuring buys are within agreed budgets
• Responsible for ensuring a balanced and profitable assortment that drives productivity and full price sell through
• Responsible for the coordination, reconciliation and long-range planning of budget and seasonal plans across division/categories (fashion/seasonal products & replenishment)
• Accountable for in-season Open to Buy decisions relating to additional procurement or request to cancel/delist or transfer
• Responsible for management of markdown sales, communicating with Merchants on strategies for execution and liquidation strategy after markdown
• Partner with Merchants to continually manage the business through in-season analysis and long-term strategies, driving sales and maximizing margin
• Accountable for aligning outlet margin with Regional Finance and providing guidance to APAC outlet planning on discount rates aligned to central strategies on pricing and mixes across aging
• Partner with Central and APAC team for stock rebalancing for optimized inventory management
• Partner with APAC Outlet Allocation to ensure store specific assortment needs are met
• Establish hindsight process and communicate high level findings to cross-functional partners for outlet
• Develop seasonal inventory liquidation strategies, including markdowns and promotions.
• Responsible for owning the partnership and leading the process and execution on staff sales with Regional Retail Manager
• Responsible for owning the partnership and leading the process and execution on IFP with Regional Finance
• Accountable for the tracking and managing aged inventory, ensuring limited need for provisioning
• Improve and implement reporting and analysis capabilities to drive decision making at the regional level
• Fully align, partner and cooperate with the Merchandising, Allocation, Visual merchandising, Regional Finance and the Central Planning team in relation to delist timing, cooling off period, overmakes assortment and assortment balance

Team Leadership

• Embody the Burberry behaviors of Being One Team, Responsible and Accountable, Putting Customers First and Being Bold and Open to new ideas
• Lead a team of Planning professionals, communicating strategic objectives for the region and providing day to day direction and guidance
• Create opportunities for talent development across Burberry's global planning organisation
• Manage, develop and elevate direct reports to drive business growth and create a best in class planning team
• Actively engage in coaching and mentoring activities, driving personal and professional development

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Demonstrated experience managing a team of regional planners in a fast paced commercial and luxury environment; fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and accountability
• Demonstrated excellence across all aspects of planning, including financial/commercial planning and inventory management across Mainline and Outlet
• Customer-oriented when faced with business challenges
• Solid decision-making capability driven by developing thoughtful product and business initiatives
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with credibility across all levels of the organization
• Dynamic and collaborative style, able to build positive working relationships with cross-functional teams
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical skills
• Experience with SAP would be advantageous
• 3 years or more people management experience preferred