Deputy Director - Planning

Deputy Director – Central Planning (Inventory Optimization & Freshness)

Roles & Responsibilities

Inventory Strategy & Planning

• Own end-to-end inventory planning to support category growth and profitability.
• Lead monthly planning cycles to realign sales forecasts and intake plans.
• Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) and detailed sales planning to ensure optimal stock levels.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Category Management, Business Finance, Category Operations, and Revenue teams.
• Influence key merchandising decisions that shape the category P&L.
• Drive strategic initiatives and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.

Merchandising & Assortment Optimization

• Develop and execute Merchandise Financial Plans and Assortment Plans to guide buying decisions.
• Monitor assortment health across key metrics (e.g., sell-through, stock cover, freshness) and implement corrective actions to maximize conversions.

Strategic Projects & Process Improvement

• Lead cross-functional projects aimed at enhancing business processes and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for automation, scalability, and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

8+ years of relevant planning experience in category planning for online or offline retail business.

MBA/NIFT from Tier-1/Tier-2 B-School

Strong stakeholder management skills & must have experience in managing a team of 3-4 members

Exceptional analytical & problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and ability to make data-backed decisions.

Self-directed focus and ability to prioritize within an ambiguous environment.

Ability to execute and follow through on high-quality output, with limited oversight.

Ability to work with cross-functional teams and influence/rally/align them towards a common org/business goal.

Strong verbal & written communication skills.