Role Overview
The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving optimal inventory availability across a broad assortment of categories that cater to the parenting eco-system. In turn, their role is expected to drive and contribute towards revenue growth, margin performance, and working capital efficiency. The role combines demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and commercial decision-making in a high-SKU, fast-paced e-commerce environment that supports both retail and marketplace operations.
This position partners closely with Commercial, Category, Operations, Finance, and Marketing teams to ensure inventory decisions are data-driven, scalable, and aligned with business growth targets.
Key Responsibilities2. Demand Forecasting & Analysis3. Inventory Optimization & Performance Management4. Cross-Functional Collaboration5. Reporting, Insights & Continuous ImprovementQualifications & Experience
- Inventory Planning & Commercial Alignment
- Own inventory planning at SKU and category level to support sales, margin, and growth targets.
- Translate category strategies, promotions, and seasonal plans into inventory investment decisions.
- Prioritize stock allocation toward high-velocity and high-margin SKUs to maximize ROI.
- Balance product availability with working capital and inventory turns.
- Develop and maintain demand forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, and trend analysis.
- Factor in marketing campaigns, events, launches, and promotional activity into forecasts.
- Partner with Commercial Operations (Planning & Performance) and Category teams to continuously refine forecast assumptions.
- Identify demand risks and opportunities early and recommend corrective actions.
- Monitor and manage key inventory metrics including sell-through, weeks of cover, stockouts, excess, and aging inventory.
- Recommend markdowns, liquidation, reallocation, or replenishment strategies based on performance signals.
- Support SKU rationalization and new assortment introductions using demand and profitability insights.
- Drive reduction of excess and obsolete inventory.
- Work closely with Supply Chain and Operations teams to align inventory plans with inbound capacity and lead times.
- Partner with Finance to align inventory investments with budget, cash flow, and margin targets.
- Support launches, peak events, and seasonal spikes with data-backed inventory scenarios.
- Provide inputs to pricing and promotion planning to maximize sell-through and returns.
- Build and maintain inventory dashboards and reports highlighting health, risks, and opportunities.
- Conduct post-event and post-season performance reviews to improve planning accuracy.
- Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Continuously improve planning processes, tools, and forecasting accuracy.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.
Experience
- 25 years of experience in inventory planning, demand planning, commercial planning, or category planning.
- Experience in e-commerce, large-scale retail, or high-SKU environments preferred.
- Exposure to fast-moving categories such as apparel, FMCG, lifestyle, or general merchandise is a plus. Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commercial mindset.
- Advanced Excel skills; ability to work comfortably with large datasets.
- Experience working with ERP, planning tools, or retail/e-commerce platforms.
- Solid understanding of inventory economics, margin impact, and working capital.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous, and high-growth environment.
Preferred Attributes
- Highly data-driven with strong business judgment.
- Comfortable making trade-off decisions between growth, margin, and cash.
- Proactive, structured, and execution-oriented.
- Thrives in scale-driven, metrics-led operating environments.
