Senior Planner - Menswear
Job description
About the role
The role translates commercial insight and strategy into the Menswear category direction. The position defines the mid to long term plan that guides profit and growth. The Senior Planner leads the seasonal strategy pack and its financial implementation.
Every role in this field shares a few habits: clear communication, structured thinking, and steady follow through. Teams hold regular meetings, review progress, and adjust plans. Success usually depends on how well you work with others, not just how hard you try. Successful professionals in any field share a few habits: they take notes, keep commitments, and communicate in writing. Teams value people who make their work easy to review and build on.
Key facts
What you'll do
Demand and trend analysis feeds the assortment plan and buying decisions.
Performance review of products and ranges identifies actions for underperforming categories and brands.
Future opportunities and risks are anticipated so suggestions align with economic or social trends.
Department wide strategy is driven and key growth initiatives are rolled out across the organization.
Stock availability is managed so that sufficient product supply meets forecast demand.
Marketing campaigns are proposed to support promotional activity while protecting margin.
Planning Manager needs are anticipated with prepared documentation, analysis and responses.
Cross functional collaboration with other Category Management teams strengthens the department's market position.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree is required for the role.
Proven experience analysing and forecasting financial and product trends is required.
Experience managing end to end seasonal planning and P&L responsibility is required.
Strong communication and management skills ensure deadlines are met for direct reports.
The ability to confidently communicate with senior management while respectfully challenging when required is required.
Experience using data to drive department growth and profitability is required.
The capacity to manage own and direct team's workload during peak planning periods is required.
A commitment to continuous improvement in processes, systems or tools is required.
Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to take challenges in stride is required.
Nice to have
Experience deputising for the Planning Manager in their absence is preferred.
Experience influencing and driving department growth is preferred.
Experience championing process improvement and streamlining is preferred.
Experience developing and inspiring direct reports is preferred.
Experience embodying The Iconic values when setting goals and KPIs is preferred.
Practical notes
Visa, citizenship or permanent residency is required.
The role is hybrid with flexible working arrangements.
Typical interview steps
Hiring processes usually combine a screening conversation with one or more interview rounds. Candidates can expect questions about their experience, a scenario or case, and a chance to ask their own questions. Preparation and specific examples from past work carry the most weight. Whatever the role, preparation is visible. Reviewing the company's product, the job description, and your own past work before the conversation is the strongest step.
Good to know
Planners analyze trends, forecast demand, and balance stock to meet sales targets.
Planning teams collaborate with marketing, buying and finance to align on strategy and promotions.
The role uses data analytics tools to evaluate performance and guide decision making.
Ecommerce platforms and technology systems support product, inventory and financial planning.
Commercial teams translate customer insight into actionable ranges and financial outcomes.
Career growth
Careers in this field grow through a mix of experience, responsibility, and demonstrated results. Early years build skills; later years build ownership. Many professionals switch focus areas or companies to keep growing. Growth in any career comes from scope, results, and reputation. Take on work that is slightly uncomfortable, and make sure others can see the outcomes.