Merchandise Planning Manager - 12m FTC

OVERVIEW: This is a 12m FTC. We're looking for a Merchandise Planning Manager (also known as Merchandiser / Merchandise Manager) to help shape the financial direction of a key product division, balancing sales performance, inventory investment, customer demand and emerging trends to drive sustainable growth. Working closely with cross-functional partners, you'll play a pivotal role in forecasting future performance, optimising inventory, identifying opportunities and risks, and ensuring products are available where and when our customers need them. This is an exciting opportunity to influence major commercial decisions and manage one of the business's most significant assets: product inventory. You'll combine strong analytical skills with commercial acumen to develop strategic plans, guide in-season trading decisions, and maximise sales, margin and profitability across multiple product categories. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING: • Develop preseason sales, margin and inventory plans across multiple product categories. • Analyse historical performance to identify growth opportunities, missed sales and key business drivers. • Evaluate product plans using financial and trend-based insights, highlighting opportunities and risks. • Present planning recommendations and financial strategies to cross-functional stakeholders. • Support category growth strategies by identifying opportunities to grow, maintain or reduce investment based on performance and market trends. • Provide regular trading updates, identifying emerging trends and variances against forecast. • Proactively identify risks and opportunities, recommending actions to optimise performance. • Prepare and maintain sales, margin and inventory forecasts to support business planning. • Monitor product performance and inventory flow to maximise availability and profitability. • Oversee allocation strategies to ensure strong stock availability across channels and locations. • Build and manage detailed sales plans to inform weekly, monthly and quarterly forecasting. • Support pricing, promotional and markdown strategies through financial analysis and scenario planning Please note: this role is also commonly known as "Merchandiser" or "Merchandise Manager" in the industry — the title reflects our internal structure, but the scope covers both financial planning and in-season trading. WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Essential Criteria: • Previous experience in merchandise planning, allocation, merchandising, financial planning, business analytics or a related commercial planning role. • Strong analytical and financial modelling capabilities with the ability to turn data into actionable insights. • Excellent problem-solving skills and commercial judgement. • Confident communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. • Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment whilst meeting tight deadlines. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong technical aptitude for working with planning systems and new technologies. Desirable: • Experience within activewear, apparel or retail planning environments. • Experience working across international markets and multiple currencies. • Experience managing forecasts across a range of product categories. LOCATION: Please note this is a hybrid role and requires the successful candidate to attend at least 3 days per week in office, we are open to London office attendance, if you are able to attend Solihull once per week. BELONGING AT GYMSHARK. Our mission is to be a place where everyone belongs. We’re an equal opportunities employer, and for us that means we always strive to be as inclusive as possible in all aspects of employment, right from your application. We’re committed to fi