L3 Merchandise Planner

Vacancy No

• VN598

Job Type

• Permanent

Location

• Hatfield

Job Details

We're an exceptional and mighty bunch of colleagues who are inspired by our three awesome values
:Always be curious,
Bring your best self, and
Challenge what's possible.

We have ambitious plans and vision to never stop making our customers' lives better, by delivering the supermarket of tomorrow, today.

About the Role

The Merchandise Planner works closely with the MPM & Buying Manager for the relevant to ensure sales weighted availability is maintained at optimal levels to drive sales, meet KPI's and boost warehouse efficiencies.

They are also responsible for delivering their departments KPIs including basket contribution (sales), gross margin, profitability, aged stock and purge.

Key Responsibilities:

Forecasting Stock and Commercial Trading - _Independently manage macro (category/supplier) and micro (SKU) level forecasting across a defined product area._

• Develop and deliver category buying plans aligned to the business' strategies and commercial targets
• Long term stock projections for new season launches working in line with the financial KPIs, OTB budgets, promotional plans and planned visibility
• Daily validation of system generated purchase orders with complete focus on maintaining high standards of sales weighted availability
• Managing availability and stock levels throughout the season, identifying and handling gaps between forecasts and trading actuals
• Working closely with the SC team to support 95% ATP on range managed by them for the relevant department
• Planning, top line forecasting and trading of key events to maximise sales and minimise residual stock
• Using reporting tools to analyse and understand performance and opportunities. Analysing past sales figures & trends to anticipate future product performance
• Ensuring the space within our warehouses is utilised in a profitable manner and that adequate space is available for planned inbound volumes throughout the season
• Working with product & merchandise team to maximise visibility of best sellers, seasonal products as well as newness at launch

Managing stock clearance and sell through activity - _SKU level management of the exit stock

This includes:
_

• Recommending lines that should be discontinued based on average ROS performance, aged stock and supplier MOQ's
• Maintaining Aged stock levels to the minimum, by highlighting slow sellers in time so stock is not written off
• Creating and managing clearance promotions to ensure exit lines are sold through promptly with focus on department level margin targets

Managing Supplier Performance_ _**_- Work with new and established suppliers to ensure that the supply relationship is nurtured from the start of direct supply through to an effective working relationship. Review and challenge supplier performance, in order to maximise commercial and logístical benefits to the Ocado business

This includes:
_

• Conducting supplier service level reviews
• Planning new line launches & working with suppliers to ensure that happens in line with critical path timelines
• Establishing regular communication channels with suppliers, not just when there are issues
• Holding regular supplier meetings; not just on a "need to" basis to develop relationships with our key and problematic suppliers
• Producing short, medium to long term forecasts for suppliers to maximise service levels
• Comply with GSCOP and Competition Law while dealing with suppliers

Data Management _- Product and supplier relevant data to be input and maintained using Ocado's custom built systems

This includes:
_

• Maintaining SKU forecast data in Utopia
• Create and maintain supplier schedules
• MOQ sign off and product availability updates for new lines and existing SKUs
• Admin tasks like raising delists and updating ATP categories to effectively manage ATP

Experience / Skills Required:

• Proven experience working as a Merchandise Planner for 67 years with experience ideally within online sales in the Homeware, Beauty, Clothing & Healthcare sectors.

What We Offer You

We want our colleagues to feel supported and secure here at Ocado Retail, which is why we have a great range of useful benefits for them to scoop up - and they're now available to easily learn about using our new platform 'Pick 'n' Mix'.

Our flexible benefits range from tasty lifestyle discounts to trusty private medical insurance.

These benefits can also be customised so you can pick and choose to best suit your lifestyle.

Core Rewards

• Annual bonus scheme
• 26 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 7% matched pension contributions (e.g. 7% from you, 7% from us)
• 50% income protection
• 4x salary life insurance
• 20% Marks and Spencer discount
• Companypaid private medical insurance for colleagues with the opportunity to add partners/children at corporate rates and Digital GP service
• Hyb

---