Advocate Group
Merchandise Planning Manager
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The Advocate Group and Ariat Partnership
The Advocate Group are proud to be partnering with Ariat in their search for a Merchandise Planning Manager to lead and develop their planning function. Founded on innovation, performance and quality, Ariat has built a strong international reputation across equestrian, outdoor and lifestyle markets, with ambitious plans for continued growth.
This pivotal leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the planning function, develop a high-performing team, and introduce new processes and ways of working to support the next stage of the business.
The Role
- Lead the planning function, ensuring the business has the right stock, at the right time and in the right quantities, while maximising sales and minimising stock risk.
- Lead, develop and coach the planning team, driving high performance and best practice.
- Own forecasting and planning across wholesale, e-commerce, marketplaces and events.
- Set and manage sales and stock targets across departments and sub-categories.
- Drive excellent product availability across core and seasonal ranges.
- Work closely with Product to identify opportunities and drive category growth.
- Manage the purchasing critical path, working closely with Ariat International in the US.
- Oversee purchase orders, SAP processes, and ongoing improvements to planning systems.
- Provide regular commercial reporting and actionable sales and stock insight.
- Identify opportunities to improve existing processes and introduce new ways of working.
- Build strong relationships with US planning partners and wider business stakeholders.
- Play a key role in shaping the future direction of the planning function as Ariat continues to grow.
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About You
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially astute planning leader who can combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach.
- 5+ years’ planning experience within retail, fashion, wholesale, e-commerce or FMCG.
- Proven leadership and change management experience.
- Strong forecasting, stock management and commercial analysis skills.
- Experience working with apparel, footwear or consumer fashion products.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using SAP.
- Confidence working with large datasets and turning analysis into actionable insight.
- Excellent organisation, prioritisation and time-management skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A collaborative, proactive and commercially focused approach.
Get help with your application
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If the role and responsibilities sound like a good fit for you, then I’d love to speak to you!
Find out more about our available opportunities or how we can help you further your career – contact us today.
Email: Shelley.burnand@advocate-group.co.uk
Phone: 07537163606
We look forward to your application for this exciting opportunity.
The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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