Senior Merchandise Planning Manager

Lead Ocado Retail's General Merchandise planning teamOwn stock, buy strategies, forecasting, and financial performance across General Merchandise Distribution CentresShape planning strategy and act as a key contact for demand planning, forecasting, and logistics workstreamsLead, coach, and develop a team of 10, including recruitment, career progression, objective-setting, and planning review calendarsTranslate sub-category trading strategies into stock plansControl Open to Buy, option counts, Available to Purchase, stock cover, aged inventory, fixed buy-sell-through rates, and profit marginsOwn senior stakeholder relationships with M&S and suppliersDeliver rolling forecasts to secure inventory and drive Joint Business PlanningEnforce compliance with GSCOP and Competition LawDrive stock turn and warehouse space utilisationPlan major trade events such as Christmas and Easter, including inbound phasing and markdown, clearance, and aged-stock exit strategiesPartner with Buying, Insight

Finance, Logistics, Marketing, and DC Operations teamsLead transformation projects including supply chain network optimisation and ambient growth initiativesRequirementsProven track record of leading, coaching, and developing large planning teamsExperience managing significant commercial budgetsSolid background in product mix, basket dynamics, and margin managementAdvanced data analysis capabilities to pinpoint performance driversSkilled at senior-level negotiation and managing external partnerships and supplier networksAbility to drive organisational change and navigate high-pressure commercial environmentsAbility to manage complex planning calendarsDesirable background in online Homeware, Beauty, Clothing, Healthcare, Pet, or Gardening sectorsAppetite to leverage modern tools, systems, emerging technologies, and AI Academy learning opportunitiesCore CompetenciesDemonstrates expertise in leading planning teams, managing stock and buy strategies, and executing financial performance across
General Merchandise. Proficient in advanced data analysis, stakeholder management, and driving organisational change in high-pressure environments.Highest-signal resume keywordsTeam LeadershipStock ManagementData AnalysisSenior-Level NegotiationCommercial Budget ManagementHard SkillsForecastingFinancial PerformanceStock PlanningMargin ManagementOpen To Buy ControlAged Inventory ManagementDemand PlanningSupply Chain OptimisationTrade Event PlanningPerformance Driver AnalysisSoft SkillsCoachingStakeholder ManagementOrganisational Change ManagementNegotiation SkillsTeam DevelopmentIndustry KeywordsGeneral MerchandiseHomewareBeautyClothingHealthcarePetGardeningGSCOP ComplianceCompetition LawJoint Business PlanningTools & TechnologiesModern ToolsEmerging TechnologiesAI Learning Systems #J-18808-Ljbffr