Essential Duties And Responsibilities

- Formulate group Category
- Formulate store & Central buffer ordering strategy to mitigate risks and categories to maximize sales & profitability.
- Build solid cross functional coordination to ensure accurate sales, Indent plans and maximum profitability.
- Inventory Budgeting, Management & Control
- Formulate Inventory Budget requirement for the category group for the year, months and seasons.
- Ensure collections inventory plan is part of annual inventory.
- Store level Inventory budgets and as performance.
- Adjust the Inventory as per sales trends.
- Ensure effective Sales and Indent Planning
- Direct the planning process from sales plan, Indent plan till inventory management.
- Direct team to build Category wise and Store wise Model Stock plan taking in account key inputs of past trends, Category price point turns and seasonality.
- Direct team to build define Store wise sales plan based on key inputs like target SSPD and growth plans.
- Facilitate close monitoring of sales for Stores, categories price points and intervene with necessary interventions in production incase of deviations.
- Lead and facilitate accurate Indent plans/projections through close monitoring of sales and foreseeing risks.
- Work collaboratively with cross functional teams to ensure close adherence to Indent plans and guide team in case of exceptions.
- Oversee timelines and quantities of inventories are adhered to and produced as per stock plan.
- Ensure planning for production and warehouse capacity along with category wise phasing and GRN date finalization.
- Oversee and ensure OTB and Indent Plan closure through a month wise intake plan, finalized SKUs and buy quantity as per timelines.
- Create Model Stock as per margin objectives
- Liasoning with category team to finalize Model Stock and Range Plan to ensure minimum deviation from realized margins.
- Guiding team to ensure final margins are as per category margin targets.
- Process Institutionalization and Management
- Develop metrics, tools,



and processes to analyze sales data more effectively for accurate projections.
- Develop and implement protocols and practices to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of strategic initiatives.
- Review business calendar to ensure timelines budgeted for activities are not compromised.
- Guide team to provide inputs for key processes like dispatch of goods from warehouse.
- Ensure timely and accurate product Universe and PR & PO management by team.
- Monitor weekly performance and delivery against commitments.
- Analyze critical milestones in, establish priorities and ensure smooth workflow through appropriate interventions with cross functional teams.
- Ensuring proactive and effective team development & management
- Identifying training needs, development planning and grooming talent within department.
- Setting clear performance expectations and providing constructive feedback to the team on a regular basis.
- To maintain an employee connect with the team, seeking feedback from the team regularly.

Critical Competencies For Success

- Tactical Planning: Ability to formulate category-level inventory and sales strategies aligned with business goals.
- Analytical Acumen: Expertise in interpreting sales trends, forecasting, and adjusting plans proactively.
- Process Excellence: Skill in institutionalizing planning processes, tools, and metrics for efficiency.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong capability to coordinate with multiple teams for seamless execution.
- Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and build high-performing planning teams.
- Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Ability to foresee risks and implement corrective actions swiftly.

Person Profile

- Education: Graduate/Postgraduate in Business Management, Retail Management, or related field. MBA preferred.
- Experience: 10+ years in Merchandising Planning or Inventory Management within jewellery or luxury retail.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of jewellery categories (gold, diamond, bridal, essential wear), pricing strategies, and seasonality.
- Detail-oriented and proactive.

📌 Senior Manager Merchandising Planning - Replenishment (India)
🏢 Aditya Birla Group
📍 India