Merchandise/Demand Planner - Marketplaces

Posted:
9/17/2024, 2:32:25 AM

Location(s):
England, United Kingdom ⋅ London, England, United Kingdom

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Sales & Account Management

Job Description:

About Pattern 

Pattern is a leading eCommerce accelerator with offices across the globe offering outsourced marketplace and eCommerce management services for brands worldwide. The Pattern eCommerce Acceleration Platform leverages AI-powered technology, industry expertise, and global distribution, logistics, and fulfilment services to help quality brands scale profitably on their own websites and through hundreds of marketplaces. Pattern works with some of the most recognised brands such as Pandora, Skullcandy, Nestle, Kong and it ranks among the top 5 Amazon sellers globally.

Mission

The role of the Merchandise Planner is to drive efficient and sustainable Marketplace growth through effective demand planning and inventory management for our European brands. Ensuring that sales forecasts and buy plans drive demand with a direct link between buy in and sell out. This is a pivotal role in the European Team, ensuring best practice merchandising processes are implemented in alignment with the Global strategy. The role is based in central London in our Soho office.

Key Outcomes/Objectives 

  • Owns the forecasting, planning and inventory management of the European Brand Portfolio, with a focus on Seasonal & Promotional categories. 

  • Drives alignment across the commercial trading functions; setting annual, quarterly and weekly budgets in partnership with the Head of Merchandising & Finance. Building demand targets by brand, week, local and marketplace and inventory forecasts by line.

  • Uses available data, statistical models and tools to ensure accurate stock and sales projections are maintained throughout the year. Proactively identifying trends, risks and opportunities.

  • Uses trading levers such as swap and return negotiations, EOL MD management and promotional planning to ensure inventory position, revenue and margin targets are achieved.

  • Provides analytical and actionable insights into forecast deviations and future implications. Working collaboratively to identify and implement solutions.

  • Presents to external clients, leading discussions around Buying Strategy & Sell In-Sell Out forecasts. 

  • Oversees category intake, managing OTB, ordering and selection processes. Ensures optimum inventory health, with 95%+ availability on core ranges and targeted sell through on seasonal areas.

  • Works closely with brands to ensure order fulfilment and supply chain efficiencies. Aligning with brand management on ordering strategies implemented by the inventory management team.

  • Drives operational excellence through collaboration with key stakeholders and ownership of innovation projects. Helping with the implementation of reporting and tech improvements required to effectively trade our the European brand portfolio.

  • Assists the Head Of Merchandising and Sales team in the onboarding of new brands, contributing to range selection and the forecasting of new brands. 

  • Management of overseas team priorities.

Skills & Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree 

  • 4+ years working in a multiple category/brand merchandising or planning role.

  • Experience in Demand and Supply Chain Planning.

  • In-depth understanding of merchandising and trading approach (RTW experience preferable).  

  • Previous experience working with an eCommerce channel (eg. D2C)

  • Highly Commercial mindset, considering both the customer and business needs.

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with strong Microsoft Office and PowerPoint skills.

  • Strong communication and inter-personal skills

  • Experience working in a client facing role

  • Past experience working in a fast paced business environment

Preferred: 

  • Marketplace experience.

  • Experience with the Amazon retail platform

Sounds great! Could this be me?

We are looking for individuals who are:

  • Game Changers – Possess aptitudes and ability that will change the game for Pattern in both the short and long-term

  • Data Fanatics – Demonstrates an innate ability to process qualitative and quantitative data and draw insightful conclusions.

  • Partner Obsessed – Possesses an abundant mindset, understands how to create win-wins for the company. Understands that winning for our partners depends on the quality of output.

  • Strong Attention to Detail - Does not let important details slip through the cracks or derails a project.

  • Adaptable - Able to jump between sectors and quickly gain a baseline understanding of new sectors we want to explore.

  • High emotional intelligence – capacity to be aware of, control and express ones emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships empathetically. Good listening skills and adaptable where required

  • Teamwork - Reaches out to peers and cooperates with supervisors to establish an overall collaborative working relationship 

  • Organised and efficient - Great at planning, prioritising, organising and multitasking. 

  • Self-starter, entrepreneurial, driven, motivated and hardworking

What is the hiring process?

  • An initial interview with the hiring manager

  • A video interview with a hiring manager

  • A 2nd stage interview with a presentation

  • Top Grading with HR 

  • A final interview with the European General Manager

Why should I work at Pattern?
Pattern offers big opportunities to make a difference in the eCommerce accelerator industry! We are a company full of talented industry experts that evolves quickly and often, we set big goals and work tirelessly to achieve them, and we love our Pattern family. We also believe in having fun and balancing our lives, so we offer awesome benefits that include:
  • 28 days Holiday increasing to 32 with years of service

  • Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave and pay

  • Competitive Pay

  • RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)

  • Health Shield Cover (Health, Dental, Eye care and Physio cash reimbursement plan)

  • Hybrid working (2 days a week in the office)

  • Free breakfast and snacks in the office

  • Pension Scheme

  • Regular company socials

Pattern is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.