Lagrange Point

For Talent/Open roles

Head – Planning & Merchandising

ConsumerBangaloreOperations

About the Company

  • Our client is an established Indian fashion and apparel retail organisation with a strong presence across multiple markets and a sizeable store network.
  • The business is focused on its next phase of growth, with an emphasis on assortment productivity, inventory optimisation, commercial performance, omni-channel expansion and data-led decision making.
  • The organisation is strengthening its leadership team and is looking for a seasoned planning and merchandising professional to build a scalable, commercially driven planning function.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Define and drive the merchandise and financial planning strategy in line with overall business objectives.
  • Own key business metrics including OTB, sales, margins, inventory, stock cover, sell-through, markdowns and ageing.
  • Drive assortment and range architecture across regions, clusters, stores and channels.
  • Lead demand forecasting, seasonal planning and replenishment.
  • Optimise allocation, redistribution, inter-store transfers and liquidation to improve inventory productivity.
  • Work closely with Buying, Design, Sourcing, SCM, Retail Operations and Finance to ensure effective execution of merchandise plans.
  • Drive pricing, promotions and markdown governance with a focus on balancing revenue, margin and inventory health.
  • Establish robust business-performance dashboards and lead weekly/monthly merchandise reviews.
  • Identify opportunities to improve availability, sell-through, stock productivity and working-capital efficiency.
  • Drive process improvements, automation and adoption of data and technology-led planning solutions.
  • Build, mentor and develop a high-performing Planning & Merchandising team.
  • Partner with the MD & CEO on key merchandise, commercial and business-planning decisions.

Skills and qualifications

  • 15–20 years of experience in Retail Planning & Merchandising.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience leading the Planning/Merchandising function.
  • Strong experience in Fashion / Apparel Retail.
  • Experience managing large retail/store networks.
  • Strong hands-on expertise in:
  • Merchandise Financial Planning
  • OTB Management
  • Assortment & Range Planning
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Allocation & Replenishment
  • Inventory & Stock Cover
  • Sell-through & Ageing
  • Pricing & Markdown Management
  • Margin Optimisation
  • Experience in omni-channel retail preferred.
  • Strong commercial and analytical orientation, with the ability to translate data into actionable business decisions.
  • Proficiency in Advanced Excel, BI and ERP/planning systems.
  • Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Graduate qualification; MBA/PGDM preferred

What's On Offer

  • Opportunity to lead the Planning & Merchandising function of an established fashion and apparel retail business.
  • Direct interaction and visibility with the MD & CEO.
  • End-to-end ownership of merchandise planning, OTB, assortment, inventory and commercial productivity.
  • Opportunity to shape and transform the organisation's planning processes, analytics and technology capabilities.
  • Significant influence on business growth, inventory productivity and omni-channel strategy.
  • Opportunity to build and develop a high-performing Planning & Merchandising team.
  • Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience and profile.