Assistant Manager – Planning - Footwear

Role Summary

The Assistant Manager – Footwear – Merchandise Planning is responsible for driving season-wise stock planning, allocation, replenishment, and performance monitoring for the footwear category. The role ensures availability of the right product mix across stores and warehouses, achievement of planned sell-through, optimized stock turns, and attainment of topline targets.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Season Planning

• Collaborate with Buying and central planning teams to finalize monthly assortment and order qtys in sync with planned sales and inventory norms.
• Plan store base stock and allocations for proper launch and deployment.

Season Launch Allocation

• Review allocation plans to bridge the gaps, ensuring timely availability of stock.
• Track planned vs. inspected options to ensure launches are executed as per hit dates.

In-Season Monitoring & Replenishment

• Monitor store-level stock cover, mix, and ageing on a weekly/fortnightly basis; take corrective actions as required.
• Review store performance (STR, sell-through, LFL growth) and initiate corrective interventions for slow movers.
• Timely validate system update for replenishment and deployment. Dispatches in line with store and departmental performance with base fill.
• Track RDC inward/outward movement and align with Operations to resolve deviations.
• Conduct store and market visits to capture customer feedback, competitive insights, and product gaps.

Promotions & Discounting

• Support store-level execution of promotions and discounts; monitor effectiveness and impact on sales.
• Track and review discount performance across stores to maximize sell-through.

End of Season Management (EOSS)

• Plan and execute EOSS allocations based on discount structure, store profile, and budget.
• Ensure timely dispatch of discounted stock to stores in coordination with SCM.
• Work with RDC on consolidation of unsold stock; convert into prepacks for future reuse (e.g., winter-centric stocks).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy of forecasting and allocation.
• Replenishment timeliness and effectiveness.
• Sell-through achievement vs. budget.
• Stock turn and ageing norms at store level.
• Discount sell-through during promotions/EOSS.

Qualifications & Skills

• Graduate/Post-Graduate in Business, Retail Management, or related field.
• 3–6 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in footwear/apparel/retail industry.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with proficiency in MS Excel/Planning tools.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Buying, SCM, and Operations teams.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail.
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills.