Planning Manager

Planning Manager, Americas

Overview:

Our client, a global luxury footwear and small leather goods brand, is seeking a Planning Manager to oversee permanent product collection sales and inventory management across all categories for the Americas region. This individual will partner closely with Merchandising, Retail, Planning, and Finance teams to develop assortment strategies, drive financial performance, and optimize inventory productivity across the business.

This role reports directly to the Director of Planning and follows a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week in the office (Monday, Tuesday, and either Wednesday or Thursday).

Responsibilities

Permanent Assortment Planning

• Forecast permanent product categories across the Americas (United States, Canada, and Mexico).

• Develop, prepare, and present OTS/OTB plans based on sales trends, historical performance, new store openings, and budget targets.

• Create store assortments and model stock plans by season and store cluster.

• Build bottom-up sales and inventory forecasts by style and category.

• Analyze sales and inventory performance, identifying risks and opportunities against plan.

• Review forecast accuracy monthly and implement action plans to improve results.

• Partner closely with Merchandising to evaluate assortments and execute strategies at the category, style, and SKU level.

• Place buys each season based on detailed SKU-level forecasting.

• Manage reorders, cancellations, transfers, and replenishment strategies to maximize sales and inventory productivity.

• Provide actionable business insights and recommendations from top-line through store-level performance.

• Maintain data integrity within planning systems and forecasting tools.

• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely inventory flow and product availability.

• Support new store openings, special events, and product launches through strategic inventory planning.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Partner closely with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and inventory investment decisions.

• Analyze financial performance, inventory productivity, and margin opportunities across categories and channels.

• Provide reporting and recommendations to support business growth and achievement of financial targets.

• Assist in managing inventory provisions and identifying risks related to discontinued products.

General Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Planning in enhancing planning processes, reporting, and systems.

• Build strong relationships with Retail leadership and store teams.

• Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes, reporting capabilities, and forecasting accuracy.

• Partner with global teams on planning initiatives, reporting enhancements, and AI-driven forecasting tools.

• Monitor system and data integrity and proactively resolve discrepancies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 8 years of merchandise planning, inventory planning, or related experience.

• Prior management experience with a passion for coaching and developing talent.

• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative and mentoring approach.

• Advanced Excel skills required; experience with planning systems and reporting tools preferred.

• Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities.

• Experience within luxury retail strongly preferred.

• Footwear and/or small leather goods experience is a plus.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.

• Strong communication and cross-functional partnership skills.

• Omni-channel planning experience preferred.

What Our Client Is Looking For

• A polished, luxury-minded professional who is also approachable and down-to-earth.

• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

• Sharp, detail-oriented thinker who can balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.

• Someone comfortable owning the final review process and ensuring every detail is accounted for.

• A collaborative partner to Merchandising, Retail, Operations, and Finance teams.

• A passionate brand ambassador with a genuine appreciation for luxury retail.