Merchandise Planner/Analyst

As a Merchandise Planner / Commercial Analyst you provide important quantitative support in the creation of well-balanced and performing collections.
Based on historical results and new market trends, you make proposals to maximise turnover and reduce markdowns aligned with strategic KPIs and guidelines on stock levels, margin, pricing and the width and depth of the offer.

You will report to the Head of Planning & Allocation and you will have a central role in LolaLiza’s Buying department. The Merchandise Planner / Commercial Analyst collaborates on daily basis with the Buyers and the Stock Allocation, Marketing and E-commerce departments.

As a Merchandise Planner / Commercial Analyst at LolaLiza, the execution of following tasks will be part of your overall responsibilities:

• Preparing the weekly commercial reports for the Buying department and advising on opportunities and shortcomings
• Making the quantitative preparation of the pre/in season ‘collection building meetings’ and giving the necessary recommendations regarding:
  • Number of options to be bought
  • Needs on purchases per price point
  • Buying status on KPI’s on product level such as size range, balance in colours, plain vs print, eco-balance, ...
• Analysing on regular basis the performances per region, per cluster of stores and taking corrective actions with the Buying & Allocation departments
• Keeping close contact with the E-commerce department (LolaLiza website and marketplaces) as to ensure the information flow regarding sales results, specific purchasing needs, ... towards the Buying department
• Preparing the ‘line ranges’ for the Buyers and aligning these with KPIs from the Strategic Company Plan (STCP) and Open-to-Buy reports
• Providing assistance in the preparation of markdown lists
• Organizing, analysing and presenting the ‘end of season bilan’-reports per product category to the Buyers and the Commercial Direction. This will include your recommendations and action plans, which will serve as input for the STCP and the purchasing plans for the next season
• Checking the implementation of the action plans agreed during the ‘end of season bilan’ meetings
• Assisting the Head of Planning & Allocation in the preparation of the STCP and Open-to-Buy reports
• Preparing - in collaboration with the Buyers - the purchasing plans of the ‘big volume’ product lines
• Providing ad hoc reports to the Buyers and the Commercial Direction
• Continuously evaluating the working methods, tools, reporting as your personal contribution to improve our working efficiency
• Efficient time management as to create space in your agenda for store visits
• Helping your line manager in increasing the efficiency of our team

Your profile:

• You have a passion for fashion and would like to develop your career in a fashion environment
• You have a Master’s degree, or equivalent through experience
• You have a professional background working in a retail environment. Experience in commercial analysis, planning & forecasting and stock management is a must
• You are fluent in English and French (both spoken and written), knowledge of Dutch is a plus
• You have an analytical mind and you like to match figures with products
• You have advanced experience in working with Excel. Knowledge of Business Intelligence software is a plus.
• You are flexible, stress-resistant and are used to work with deadlines
• You have a critical mind and are eager to learn/improve.
• You regard achieving commercial targets as a great challenge
• You have a high sense of responsibility, and you work independently
• You are a proactive communicator

We offer you:

• To develop your career in a young, dynamic and internationally growing Belgian fashion company
• To work in a dynamic and ambitious ‘no-nonsense’ working environment
• A challenging position in the heart of the company, with many internal contacts
• A group of enthusiastic colleagues, who all have a passion for fashion
• An attractive salary package corresponding to your experience and your skills
• Headquarters located in the heart of Brussels, at walking distance of the Central Station and the possibility to do partial homeworking