Merchandise Planner

Description Job Title: Merchandise PlannerLocation: Toronto (Hybrid) Reporting to: Merchandise Planning ManagerAbout UNIQLOUNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under five brands: GU, Theory, COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, PRINCESSE , J Brand, and UNIQLO. FR is the world’s third largest apparel retail company and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.At UNIQLO, we are committed to providing our employees with enriching and challenging opportunities where achievements and personal growth are acknowledged and rewarded. We are dedicated to offering our employees training, performance-based increases, and unlimited growth opportunities. If you are an ambitious, hard-working individual who welcomes new challenges, have a drive for success, and embrace the responsibility of leadership—then you belong at UNIQLO!Position OverviewThe Merchandise Planner is responsible for identifying sales trends, providing strategy and direction to realize fiscal targets are achieved through multi-leveled action plans. They will be able to build financial sales strategies, gross margin and sales plans for multiple departments in a given area. The Merchandise Planner will manage and plan merchandise sales, including promotional and markdown plans to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and sell through objectives. Also, they will provide in-season financial projections and strategies while identifying risks and opportunities to maximize profits. Job Description:Build financial sales, gross margin and sales plans on a seasonal basisReforecast business in-season based on current performance and present revised projections and recommendations to cross functional partners and senior leadership on a weekly basisCreate allocation strategies, incorporating the merchandise plan and flow strategy to meet store inventory needsReview, analyze and adjust sales plans incorporating market trends and customer needsCreate and plan product assortments (item, color, size) for each product category based on seasonal conceptsManage inventory levels to ensure that sales are optimized and stores are without missing SKUsPlace orders for both seasonal and replenishment product buysStrategize cross functionally to meet sales plans and achieve business targetsDesired Skills and Experiences:Passion for fashion and customer serviceBachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Mathematics preferred2-3 years of fashion retail merchandise buyingPrevious in-store retail experience and store planning experience an assetExcellent analytical and mathematical skills with a strong business and financial acumen, able to analyze numbers to create reporting and come up with a solution to resolve any issues identifiedAware of current fashion trends and have an understanding of customer needs/demandsExperience in working with global timezoneStrong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to effectively communicate and work with internal local teams and external global teamsStrong organizational and time management skills; able to handle multiple priorities to meet tight deadlinesAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially MS Excel, comfortable with pivot tables and lookup functionsIndependent with a high level of ownership, accountability and initiativeDriven and has a sense of urgencyFlexible schedule to support the business as needed