Merchandise Planner/Senior Planner - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Who Are We? We’re a proud, family-owned New Zealand fashion retailer with over 40 stores across New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia. Our iconic brands Merchant 1948, Mi Piaci, Deuce, and Goodsole are known for delivering exceptional experiences to both our customers and our team. At the heart of what we do is our people. We offer supportive leadership and recognition for great performance, all within a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The Role We’re looking for a commercially minded and analytical Merchandise Planner/Senior Planner to join our Merchandise team on a 12-month fixed-term contract , covering maternity leave. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced retail planner to play a key role in driving sales, profitability and inventory performance across the business. Working closely with the wider Merchandise team, you’ll use your commercial insight and analytical expertise to develop effective plans, manage stock and identify opportunities to maximise business performance. Key Responsibilities Maintain seasonal budgets, buy plans and Open to Buy (OTB) to maximise sales and profitability. Manage seasonal buying cycles , ensuring plans align with business objectives, customer demand and inventory targets. Maintain demand forecasts , adjusting sales and stock plans in response to trading performance. Monitor and manage stock levels, inventory health and aged stock , identifying opportunities to maximise sell-through. Analyse in-season sales and stock performance , identifying key trends, risks and commercial opportunities. Manage stock allocations, stock movements and seasonal recalls to ensure stores are appropriately stocked. Provide commercial insights and recommendations to support effective trading and merchandise decision-making. Complete post-season analysis and reporting , using learnings to inform future planning and buying decisions. Maintain planning reports, dashboards and KPIs , including ad hoc analysis as required. Partner closely with Merchandise and cross-functional teams to drive sales, improve processes and deliver commercial outcomes. What you'll bring Proven experience in retail planning ideally within footwear or apparel Experience with Ontempo would be advantageous Advanced Excel skills and sound retail maths knowledge Strong commercial acumen and confident decision-making Highly organised and detail-oriented Strong communication and stakeholder management skills A collaborative team player (plus a good sense of humour!) What's in it for you? A free pair of shoes every season Generous discounts across all Overland brands Central location with free parking and close proximity to public transport A hybrid working model to balance work and life Referral bonuses when you bring great people onboard Regular office & team events Supportive, down-to-earth leadership Access to EAP for extra support A brand with real history - and exciting things ahead!