Merchandise Planning & Allocation Lead, Children's

Position Overview

Responsible for developing financial plans at the category that deliver corporate objectives and divisional sales, inventory, profit and turn objectives.

Provide pre-season and in-season financial projections and strategies. Identify risks and opportunities to maximize profits.

Drive and / or contribute to projects resulting in improved departmental systems and efficiencies. Responsible for overall strategic vision and implementation of strategies for entire complex to profitably drive business goals.

Manage team to be results driven.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Planning

• Oversee and direct the development and achievement of annual divisional financial plans.
• Provide Category level direction to Planners : Retail sales, GM & Inventory.
• Plan in-season & pre-season divisional season / brand Retail Sales / GM / inventory utilizing Enterprise Planning with a focus on long range planning.
• Support and challenge planning teams to develop strategies that align to short- and long-term goals.
• Guide and approve allocation team strategies to support divisional goals in conjunction with store planning goals.
• Partner with Buying lead to define product strategies and enhance customer experience.
• Responsible for overseeing price change management.
• Develop long range plans at the category & brand level.
• Lead monthly forecast, hindsight and OTB process.

End to End Deliverables

• Meet Superseason planning deliverables.
• Provide SKU counts at the category level.

Inventory Management

• Responsible for monthly inventory flow supporting divisional targets.
• Challenge teams receipt flow to increase productivity.
• Ensure team's allocation strategies optimize store in-stock levels.
• Develop promotion and markdown strategies to manage seasonal inventory.
• Seasonal plans / analysis.

Talent Management

• Develop, retain, and identify talent.
• Coach and develop planning and allocation team to identify and execute strategies that drive business.
• Assess and leverage planning and allocation team’s strengths and address development needs.
• Identify bench strength and maintain updated succession plans.
• Consistently provide feedback and direction to enhance team's skillset and performance.
• Partner with head to solicit decision support when needed.
• Recognize and reward quality performance and teamwork. Celebrate success.
• Lead by example, engage and inspire team.

Process Leadership

• Model the Ralph Lauren Way.
• Partner closely with team leaders to align cross-functional objectives and best practices.
• Coordinate efforts of direct reports to ensure consistency of planning and distribution.
• Develop and maintain cross-divisional peer relationships.
• Identify and communicate opportunities where management support is needed on initiatives and strategies.
• Cultivate a collaborative, creative, results-oriented work environment.
• Assume leadership role in change management.
• Lead, implement and adopt new technologies.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Systems & Tools

• Enterprise Planning - Global planning system used to forecast sales and inventory.
• IA and JDA Allocation
• GBIS - Global reporting tool used to provide visibility to key sales metrics.
• Microsoft Office Suite
• GFE+

Required Skills

• Exceptional leadership and team building skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Superb presentation and communications skills, both spoken and written.
• Prioritize and direct multiple activities.
• Think conceptually and strategically regarding the business, creative problem solver.
• Able to develop and maintain effective cross-functional relationships.
• Motivate, negotiate and influence effectively across departments & divisions.
• Present a global perspective encompassing businesses beyond the basic accountability of the role.
• Develop new strategies that expand, encompass, or parallel corporate business initiatives, and maximize profitability.

LI-MR1

Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws.