Associate Planning Manager

_**Grafton Apparel believes everyone deserves to look great We fit your body, your budget, your style and with the confidence you get when you look and feel great**_

Grafton Apparel Ltd., owner and operator of Tip Top, George Richards & Mr. Big & Tall Menswear is a Canadian company that has been in business for over 100 years. Taking its strength from over a century of heritage, today Grafton Apparel remains committed to the retail clothing industry by responding to the ever changing demands of the market. Not only do we understand the needs of our customers, we understand the needs of our people too We are truly committed to both our employees and our customers - a company that you will be proud to work for.Come join the team at Grafton Apparel where we are always looking for motivated, collaborative and product-driven individuals who are passionate about fashion and looking to grow and develop within our company.

**Job Summary**:
The **Associate Planning & Allocation Manager** is responsible for leading all planning and allocation functions for a specific category. In this role, you will develop pre-season and in-season financial plans that help drive merchandising initiatives to grow top line sales, ensuring profitability and maximizing inventory investments. In addition, you will effectively utilize the company inventory to support merchandise plans. As a leader, you will train, develop and manage the day-to day activities of Inventory Analyst/Allocator

**Please note this is a 12 -18 month maternity leave coverage**

**What you will do in this role**:

- Own Inventory Management, including OTB, ladder plans, pre-season and in-season forecasting
- Lead financial planning process based on historical data and business trends, delivering item Assortment plans, and Financial plans
- Maintain proper inventory levels by store location and Ecomm, to support sales, margins and turns
- Work to increase inventory productivity through analysis and collaboration with business partners
- Partner with Buying team to create merchandise allocation and replenishment buy strategies
- Collaborate with Buyers on domestic and import purchase flow to efficiently flow goods to stores
- Recommend and execute inventory re-balancing opportunities as necessary
- Work with Inventory Analysts / Allocators to drive and implement allocation and replenishment strategies, including regional and seasonal opportunities,
- Create ad-hoc analysis to react to current and future business trends and present findings to Buyers, and Senior management
- Manage day-to-day activities of Inventory Analysts / Allocators
- Analyze, communicate, and work with the stores and distribution center on inventory strategies to support the business
- Ensure new stores open with the correct assortment and appropriate inventory levels as determined by the new store plan

**As an ideal candididate, you are an individua with**
- Quantitative and analytical skills with extensive experience and expert proficiency with Excel
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills and ability to present to Executive leader team
- Enjoy working in a collaborative environment and leveraging cross-functional partnerships
- A leader who enjoys team development, mentoring others, and fostering opportunities for growth
- Proven planning and organizational skills with a sense of priority for deadlines and attention to detail

**Your Qualifications Include**:

- Previous experience in planning and / or allocations
- Previous experience in retail within in an analytical role is an asset
- Previous experience in a managerial role an asset
- University Degree in Business, Finance or related degree

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Concord, ON L4K 5C1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Experience**:

- Planning: 3 years (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Concord, ON L4K 5C1