PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION:
The KIDS Buy Planning & Allocation Manager is responsible for driving profitable and sustainable growth across the KIDS business by leading end-to-end buy planning, inventory management, allocation, and replenishment strategies.
This role owns the planning and execution of both Inline Range and Value Range, ensuring the right product, in the right quantity, reaches the right stores at the right time. The position combines strategic planning with operational execution to optimize inventory productivity, improve sell-through, maximize stock utilization, and enhance consumer satisfaction.
The role acts as a key business partner to Buying, Retail Operations, SCM, Demand Planning, and Finance teams to deliver commercial targets while continuously improving planning tools, allocation processes, and inventory management capabilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Buy Planning & OTB Management
- Develop seasonal and annual buy plans for the KIDS business across both Inline Range and Value Range for Own Retail Channel.
- Create a store specific SKU width plan – define the optimal number of styles/references per store based on store tier, space productivity, and local customer demand patterns
- Support pre-season planning through sales forecasting, inventory projections, and buy quantity recommendations.
- Monitor buying performance throughout the season and recommend adjustments to optimize inventory investments.
Allocation & Replenishment Management
- Lead the end-to-end allocation process from initial product launch through replenishment and end-of-life inventory management.
- Develop allocation strategies for new receipts, replenishment products, and excess inventory across KIDS Inline and Value Range assortments.
- Manage allocation parameters and replenishment settings to optimize store productivity, inventory productivity, and capacity utilization.
- Collaborate closely with SCM and Operations teams to ensure timely product delivery and efficient inventory flow.
- Drive inventory balancing and stock redistribution through inter-store transfers and inventory optimization initiatives.
Reporting & Business Insights
- Develop dashboards, analytical reports, and executive summaries to support business decision making.
- Monitor weekly sales, sell through, stock cover, and markdown performance against plan; identify risks and opportunities, and propose timely corrective actions (e.g., re phasing, transfers, or promotions).
- Track SKU/store level performance to validate and adjust the width plan throughout the season.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
OR KIDS Buying team, Retail Operations, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Demand Planning, etc
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong analytical and problem solving skill
- Product Management or Merchandising experience
- Good communicate skill
- Learning and self-development
- Results oriented
REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- University advanced degree
- Minimum 6 years’ experience in allocation or planning experience with recognized retail brands (fashion or FMCG)
- Good understanding of retail business
- Prefer very good Excel skills
