Zone Merchandise Planner

Objective: Guarantee profitable growth within the assigned perimeter by ensuring optimal product availability, precise inventory forecasting, and seamless supply chain alignment from range planning through end-of-life cycle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Economic Framework & Business Strategy

• Business Plan Alignment: Validate the 3-Year Business Plan ($BP\ Y+3$) at the family level alongside Category Managers and Zone Merchandise Planning Managers; establish demand tactics aligned with broader category strategy.

• Range Costing & Selection: Build and validate range costing (product selection count per range level) in alignment with the Business Plan.

• Stock & Turnover Targets: Establish turnover and inventory targets (stock norms) aligned with business plans and operational tactics; validate sales and purchase summaries.

• Performance Piloting: Monitor demand reporting, track key performance indicators, and execute action plans to achieve growth and financial targets.

2. Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning

• Tactical Horizon Forecasting: Develop and maintain sales forecasts at the super-model level over a 2-year horizon.

• Pre-Season Forecasting: Forecast sales quantities during Requests for Quotation (RFQs) and validate sales forecasts for selected seasonal ranges.

• In-Season Adjustments: Continuously analyze, refine, and update sales forecasts throughout the product life cycle.

• Financial Alignment: Maintain strict synchronization between financial piloting targets and operational sales forecasts.

3. Purchase Planning & Execution

• Long-Term Purchase Forecasts: Estimate 2-year purchase forecasts per super-model, accounting for new business models (wholesale, rental), supplier capacity, and the 3-year Business Plan.

• Pre-Season & RFQ Quantities: Calculate required purchase quantities for RFQs based on available inventory and validate seasonal purchase orders.

• MRP & Order Execution: Manage Material Requirements Planning (MRP) parameters in-season to drive accurate purchasing needs; generate network implantation orders based on deployment tactics.

• S&OE Tracking: Communicate changes in purchasing requirements through S&OE (Sales & Operations Execution) channels.

• Performance Adaptations: Adjust supply and purchasing tactics in real time based on TOP/FLOP product performance and commercial decisions.

4. Pricing & Margin Management

• Target Price Setting: Establish target contract prices based on Category Manager Recommended Retail Prices (RRP) during the RFQ phase.

• Margin Alignment: Implement local markup policies to define selling prices and margins aligned with regional pricing strategy.

• In-Season Price Management: Manage purchase price modifications and price events throughout the season.

• Markdown & RRP Adjustments: Propose RRP adjustments and commercial price actions (CPD) to Category Managers as needed.

5. Stock Distribution & Logistics Parameters

• Dispatch Tactics: Partner with Zone Distribution Planners (ZDP) to establish dispatch strategy aligned with demand tactics.

• Logistics Settings: Define base-camp level global logistics parameters (e.g., Units of Measure / UOM) during selection.

• Store Stock Parameters: Configure store-level inventory parameters (minimum merchandising rules, initial quantities) within the merchandising framework set by Category Merchandisers.

Hard Skills:

• Strategy: Economic framework & Selection validation.

• Supply Chain: Sales/Purchase Forecast management, S&OP Process, and Stock Distribution.

• Business: Sport’s business piloting, Price Management, and Demand tactics.

• Innovation: ZMP Sustainability, Continuous Improvement, and Generative AI.

• Language: English Proficiency (B2).

Soft Skills:

• Leadership: Decision making, Persuasive communication, and Transmission.

• Organization: Prioritization, Objectivity, and high Organization.

• Adaptability: Continuous learning, Adaptability, and Collaboration/Cooperation.

• Values: Personal alignment with sports and sustainability.