Merchandise Planner (1-year contract)

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibilities Allocation and Replenishment:
* Partner with Production to track all in-bound inventories; develop contingency plans for late arrivals and communicate to relevant cross-functional partners
* Analyzes Supply - Demand match to insure Initial orders are filled
* Communicate initial release and replenishment strategies and status to Buying, Planning and cross-functional teams, both written and in meetings
* Execute the initial release of each season's product within multiple systems
* Execute and manage Replenishment for Fashion, Key items and Basics
* Monitors all Basic replenishment orders to ensure target fill rate is reached and future inbound orders support the demand
* Develop and maintain effective working relationships within cross-functional team (Merchandising, Planning, Distribution Centers Production, etc.)
* Participate in cross-functional meetings, contributing input on distribution strategies    
* Ensure the financial success of one or more departments by meeting or exceeding sales, gross margin, gross margin and inventory turn goals Analysis
* Develop and communicate allocation strategies based location and size selling performance
* Analyze store and size trends and performance. Apply observations to future distribution planning strategies.
* Provide pre-season style and fixture minimums and maximums to Buying and Brand Presentation Order Management
* Release to Pick, shippable styles, based on priority and or, special instructions
* Track product through DC and partner with appropriate DC liaison to ensure processing efficiencies; address DC processing issues in a timely manner

Experience, Skills & Knowledge
Requirements
* Degree holder or above with 4 years working experience
* Minimum 2-3 years experience in allocation and replenishment
* Able to organize and prioritize; demonstrates logical analysis and problem solving skills
* Able to understand allocation strategies and how to execute them
* Working knowledge of retail performances metrics
* Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
* Demonstrates good listening, written and oral communication skills, effectively and clearly communicates, reflecting an appropriate sense of urgency
* Facility with personal computers, including the ability or aptitude to learn technical applications quickly
* Demonstrates strong listening, written and communication skills
* Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
* Highly organized, detail-oriented and accurate
* Able to build and maintain productive relationships with cross-functional teams