Planning Lead

Role Summary

Lead the planning team across Household and Furniture Business to achieve the budgeted sell through, stock turns and top line for all categories by managing availability of right stock at the right stores and through appropriate space planning.

Summary of Role Responsibilities

Review the product mix performance analysis, projection of demand for fulfillment and share the same with the relevant stakeholders

Review bottom-up planning, new stores sales mix, growth projection for the next year and share the same with the relevant stakeholders

Undertake regular market visits and store visits to understand the competition and gaps in the product line and give feedback to buying and design teams

Introduce best in class planning and merchandising practices based on benchmark international practices customized to meet Home Centre requirements

Introduce/Adapt to appropriate technology on a continuous basis for enhancing the efficiency of planning and merchandising operations

Manage creation of the rolling forecast on monthly basis and realignment of the orders as per the rolling forecast

Manage the preparation and alignment of the sales budget with the retail, finance and buying teams at store and department level

Collaborate with the relevant stakeholders for preparing the time and action calendar for the season launch and drive adherence

Define and drive the strategy for appropriate stock density and promotions to deliver on budgeted sales and margins

Manage the process of plotting the categories based on the store layout and space available in the new stores, existing stores, and stores under renovation

Build and manage the team to maximize performance

Key Job Responsibilities

Market Focus and Strategy

Review the product mix performance analysis, projection of demand for fulfilment and share the same with the relevant stakeholders

Review bottom-up planning, new stores sales mix, growth projection for the next year and share the same with the relevant stakeholders

Undertake regular market visits and store visits to understand the competition and gaps in the product line and give feedback to buying and design teams

Proactively present ideas for business growth

Introduce best in class planning and merchandising practices based on benchmark international practices customized to meet Home Centre requirements

Introduce/Adapt to appropriate technology on a continuous basis for enhancing the efficiency of planning and merchandising operations.

Basic Management (P&M Lead)

Manage creation of the rolling forecast on monthly basis and realignment of the orders as per the rolling forecast

PreSeason Alignment

Manage the preparation and alignment of the sales budget with the retail, finance and buying teams at store and department level

Share the allocated space with respect to each department with the buyers to enable them to buy as per depth and space

Finalize OTB planning as per defined process and timelines

Season Launch Allocation and Mid-Season Monitoring

Collaborate with the Buying and Design Head for preparing the time and action calendar for the season launch and drive adherence

Manage the validation of stock purchase quantities and timelines (as prepared by the buying team)

Manage the allocation of range store wise as per cluster and matrix of the planogram /plotting

Review the planogram / pack performance analysis and take required actions

Manage the process of identifying fast moving and slow moving options and approve appropriate actions like discounting, promoting etc.

End of Season and Events

Define and drive the strategy for appropriate stock density and promotions to deliver on budgeted sales and margins

Review the ageing stock analysis and take required actions to maintain inventory levels as per defined norms

Collaborate with DHS team to take required action on the damaged and ageing stock

Merchandise Control

Review and ensure merchandize is allotted as per the defined matrix and plotting norms

Manage the stock allocation and consolidation during season changes

Drive the merchandise controllers to liaise with the SCM team to ensure right stock reaches the right stores as per the agreed TATs

Space Planning

Manage the process of plotting the categories based on the store layout and space available in the new stores, existing stores and stores under renovation

Manage allocation of merchandise as per the space matrix

MIS & Reporting

Define the MIS framework in terms of reports to be generated and timelines and drive adherence

Review, analyze the MIS and take required actions

People Management

Build a high performing team

Set expectations and give regular feedback to team to maximize performance

Guide, coach, train and develop the team