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

Pre–Season 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