Merchandise Planner

Job overview
Merchandise planners are involved in planning and controlling a retail company's product range.

What do people do in this job?
Merchandise planners are central to the purchasing activities of a retail company.

Their job involves financial seasonal planning of sales, stock levels and production requirements relative to planned levels, where sales of clothing are concerned of colour, fabric and store volumes.

Merchandise planners analyse and forecast trends financially, as well as product trends, through the use of computerised systems.

They lead and coordinate the activities of the distribution team by reviewing the performance of products at branches and manipulating available stock.

In stores which include clothing among their products, for example, merchandise planners will liaise closely with the fashion buyer, as well as with senior management, manufacturers and operational staff.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Merchandise planners must be highly numerate, have entrepreneurial skills, and business orientation, and be able to relate to people confidently and calmly.

What qualifications are needed?
Good school-leaving results, particularly in mathematics, are an advantage, plus some basic knowledge of economics and accounts.