Head of Merchandise Planning

Step into the world of Forever New, where fashion meets innovation. As one of Australia’s leading global fashion brands, we’ve grown from our Melbourne roots to over 450 stores worldwide with a thriving online presence. Our success is driven by our passionate community of creative thinkers, retail experts, and forward-looking innovators who bring our vision to life - to make it her moment. At Forever New, we’re not just designing beautiful fashion; we’re transforming how technology powers every touchpoint of our business. Join us as we continue to evolve our digital ecosystem and deliver seamless experiences to our customers around the world. THE PERKS WE OFFER YOU As a valued member of the Forever New family, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits designed to support your success and wellbeing: Enjoy a generous 40% employee discount, with additional discounts for family and friends. Subsidised daily coffee and lunch at our on-site cafe Celebrate special moments with loyalty and birthday leave Receive referral incentives for introducing talented people to our team Access to wellbeing and sustainability initiatives that support your overall health and purpose Thrive through continuous learning and development programs Be recognised through our reward and service awards programs Benefit from subsidised parking at our vibrant Richmond Head Office Gain global exposure across five continents, expanding your horizons and career opportunities. YOUR DREAM OPPORTUNITY In this pivotal role, you’ll lead the merchandise planning function, ensuring we maximise profitability through effective stock, range, and financial management. You’ll partner with Buying, Retail Operations, Supply Chain, and International teams to deliver well-balanced ranges, drive trade outcomes, and optimise stock across all channels and markets. This is the perfect role for a commercially-minded, strategic planner who thrives in retail, enjoys leading and developing a team, and wants to see their work drive real business results. Get excited to: Lead the planning team, providing coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities Set and manage seasonal budgets, sales plans, profit targets, and open-to-buy at category and channel levels Optimise stock allocation across stores and channels to maximise sell-through and profitability Plan and trade international markets based on local strategy, demand, and customer insights Collaborate with Buying and Design to build commercially balanced, customer-relevant ranges Monitor range and sales performance, taking action on underperforming categories and opportunities Influence decisions across the business through analysis, reporting, and clear communication Ensure planning processes, systems, and KPI management support effective business decision-making THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE YOU OFFER US We’re looking for a strategic, commercially-minded leader with strong retail planning experience: 5-10 years’ experience in fashion retail planning, including several years in a leadership role Proven ability to lead and develop a high-performing team Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing stock, margin, and profit Advanced planning systems knowledge (WSSI, Excel; Power BI advantageous) Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Knowledge of retail competitors, customer trends, and international markets WHY THIS ROLE IS EXCITING Directly influence commercial outcomes across local and international markets Lead a high-performing team in a fast-growing, global fashion brand Collaborate cross-functionally with teams at every level of the business Work in a culture that’s values-driven, supportive, and inspiring Drive meaningful change through strategic planning, stock optimisation, and commercial insight OUR VALUES At Forever New, our values guide how we work together and make decisions: Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad . #J-18808-Ljbffr