Senior Manager: Group Planning and Inventory

JOB TITLE                       :    Senior Manager: Group Planning and Inventory 

Department                    :    Ares Holdings, Brands (All) 

Reporting to                   :    Head of Operations

Direct reports                :    Planner Managers

Key customers              :    Suppliers, Logistics, Brand Teams

Main purpose                 :    The Senior Manager: Group Planning and Inventory is responsible for leading merchandise planning, demand forecasting, and inventory optimisation across the group’s portfolio of brands. The role ensures the right product is available in the right quantity, at the right time, and in the right location to maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiency.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 1: MERCHANDISE PLANNING STRATEGY

• Develop and implement the Group merchandise planning strategy across all brands.
• Drive sales, margin, and inventory targets aligned with financial budgets.
• Oversee GTM & seasonal planning processes including OTB (Open-to-Buy)
• Ensure planning frameworks are consistent while accommodating brand-specific strategies.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 2: DEMAND PLANNING & SALES PLANNING

• Lead the Demand forecasting process across all brands and channels.
• Analyse historical sales, market trends, and promotional plans to ensure team execute accurate forecasts.
• Work closely with Channel and Brand leads to align range plans with demand projections.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and continuously refine planning models.
• Ensure purchase orders are placed by brand with company suppliers and are in line with companies OTB budgets.
• Ensure stock turn objectives and profit targets are met.
• Ensuring that Retail buy-plans are well detailed and clearly understood by team members and relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee the Management of the Retail range assortments and replenishment.
• Provide guidance to Planning Managers around the analysis of sell through and seasonal trade to ensure Group plans are met.
• Providing consolidated, accurate and timeous Group reporting to ensure the business can react to situations and management has the necessary information to minimise risk and optimise business opportunities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 3:  INVENTORY OPTIMISATION & INTEGRITY

• Ensure that the Group inventory levels across all locations (stores, ecommerce, and distribution centres) are accurate and managed.
• Maintain optimal stock turn, sell-through, and weeks of cover.
• Reduce markdown risk, excess stock, and stock-outs.
• Implement inventory health reporting and corrective action plans.
• Oversee stock allocation and replenishment strategies across the DTC channels.
• Ensure all Brands have SAP transactions aligned to Shopify within 30 days of transaction date.
• Work with Retail Leads to ensure action regular cycle counts and execute full stock takes twice annually and that the results and findings are shared with Commercial and Finance leads.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 4: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

• Provide a group-level view of inventory exposure, risk, and opportunity.
• Identify opportunities for cross-brand inventory leverage or consolidation.
• Align planning cycles and reporting across all brands.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 5: DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

• Work with Business Solutions to develop and continually evaluate all reports, dashboards and tools used in planning.
• Refresh and distribute the Group standard dashboards and reporting for Sales and Stock Performance, Sell-Through, Stock Cover, GP and Aging
• Present insights and recommendations to Senior leadership.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 6: PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure role clarity and effective goal setting.
• Mentor and coach the Planning Managers, Planners, Junior Planner and Inventory Controllers to ensure to ensure an optimal team strategy is achieved.
• Handle IR issues and performance management and discuss disciplinary requirements with HCM.
• Manage the GOLP process of for all direct reports.
• Monitor the application of the HR Value Chain and adherence to people-related SOP’s.

COMPETENCY PROFILE

(Skills, knowledge, abilities, attributes, and behaviours that are required to do this specific job well)

KEY LEADERSHIP & INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES

(Behaviours that enhance the desired culture, values and the pursuit of the core purpose of the business)

• VALUES:
  • We believe in the power of brands and growing brands responsibly.
  • We believe in developing and building our teams for the benefit of all stakeholders.
  • We believe in continuous investment into our people and our business platforms.
  • We care deeply about our environment and our people.
• LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP BEHAVIOURS
  • Strategic Communication: Clearly communicates goals, strategies, and updates to the team and stakeholders.
  • Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., buying, marketing, supply chain) to ensure alignment on plans.
  • Decision-Making: Makes informed, timely decisions based on data and strategic objectives.
  • Conflict Resolution: Addresses conflicts or disagreements constructively and promptly within the team or with stakeholders.
  • Mentorship & Development: Provides coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance their skills and career growth.
  • Stakeholder Management: Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, buyers, and senior management).
  • Accountability: Takes responsibility for team performance, ensuring that goals and objectives are met.
  • Adaptability: Adjusts to changing business conditions, market trends, and team dynamics.
  • Empathy: Demonstrates understanding of team needs and challenges, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
  • Influence & Negotiation: Effectively influences others and negotiates to achieve the best outcomes for the business.

TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Merchandise Planning: Expertise in creating, managing, and optimizing merchandise plans that align with business goals and customer demand.
• Sales Forecasting: Ability to accurately forecast sales trends and demand patterns using data and market analysis.
  • Inventory Management: Proficiency in managing inventory levels, optimizing stock turnover, and reducing overstock or stockouts.
  • Financial Acumen: Knowledge of budgeting, margin analysis, and financial performance tracking for merchandising activities.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Strong analytical skills to interpret sales data, track KPIs, and generate actionable insights for decision-making.
  • Supply Chain Coordination: Understanding of supply chain processes to ensure timely product delivery and alignment with sales forecasts.
  • Product Assortment Strategy: Ability to select and manage product assortments that meet customer needs while optimizing profitability.
  • Retail & E-commerce Integration: Experience in integrating retail and e-commerce strategies to drive unified merchandising outcomes across channels.
  • Pricing & Promotion Strategy: Competence in setting pricing strategies, managing markdowns, and planning promotional activities to maximize sales.
  • Software Proficiency: Expertise in merchandise planning software, spreadsheets (Excel), and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
  • Vendor Management: Knowledge of managing supplier relationships, negotiating terms, and ensuring product availability.
  • Trend Analysis: Ability to identify market trends and consumer behaviour insights to inform planning decisions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The minimum education and experience requirements that are required to be considered

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Commerce / Business Management, or a related field
• Postgraduate qualification / MBA (advantageous).

• 7+ years’ experience in: Merchandise planning, demand planning, or inventory management
• 4+ years in a management role, with: Direct responsibility for planning or inventory teams and Accountability for delivering planning and inventory results
• Proven experience in: Demand forecasting and sales planning, Inventory management (stock turn, ageing, availability), Open-to-Buy and seasonal planning, Group or multi-brand reporting
• Extensive experience in a retail and/or e-commerce environment
• Advanced Excel ability

• Working knowledge of retail, wholesale and ecommerce operations, including trading cycles, seasonality, promotions, and stock flow from supplier to customer.
• Solid understanding of merchandise planning and demand forecasting, including OTB management, range and assortment planning, and in‑season trade management.
• Practical knowledge of inventory management, including stock turn, sell‑through, weeks of cover, ageing stock, allocation, and replenishment processes.
• Sound financial awareness of how inventory impacts margin, working capital, cash flow, and overall business performance.
• Working experience with ERP and planning systems (e.g. SAP or similar), planning tools, and Excel‑based reporting, with an understanding of data accuracy and reporting timelines.
• Awareness of inventory governance and controls, including stock takes, cycle counts, and collaboration with Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.