Planning Manager

Triple Wimbledon champion Fred Perry founded his brand in 1952. He was the son of a cotton spinner, who played and fought his way through, always with style – and despite the establishment. Today, Fred Perry is a global community of over 370 employees, all inspired by the Laurel Wreath and what it represents

PURPOSE:

The Planning Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the seamless supply of products to meet customer demand. Their primary objective is to support and deliver the Collections on time and in line with launch requirements, whilst ensuring inventory control. This role focuses on driving operational excellence in the planning & production function. This role also includes direct line management responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Collaborate with the Head of Planning to ensure global supply strategies are clearly defined and executed, guaranteeing the smooth and timely delivery of products.

· Train, coach, and empower the team to make informed and effective buying decisions.

· Support the Head of Planning in establishing a consistent operating model with systematic and reliable processes.

· Oversee the creation and maintenance of systems to uphold planning objectives and ensure the necessary parameters are set.

· Partner with IT/Business Insights to drive system & reporting development and enhancements, ensuring continuous improvement in planning tools.

· Guide planners in providing insightful trend analysis to support buying decisions. This includes identifying forecast discrepancies, uncovering opportunities and risks, and recommending effective adjustments.

· Ensure the adoption of clear methodologies to seize opportunities and mitigate risks in forecasts and planning.

· Build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments to ensure clear communication of operational or Strategic issues that may impact the buying process.

· Present forecasts, insights, and sales performance analysis to support decision-making.

· Lead the team in developing, updating, and continuously improving reports and tools to support the planning function.

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

The role includes direct line management responsibility, and the successful candidate will demonstrate a balanced, collaborative leadership style that supports a positive, accountable and high‑performing team environment.

They will:

· Communicate expectations clearly, ensuring clarity is achieved with the team.

· Establish a constructive feedback loop that strengthens performance and development.

· Manage team’s personal development through 1:1sessions and coaching.

· Operate with consistency when dealing with complexity or change.

· Support performance and development through clear expectations, timely action and consistent follow‑up.

The successful candidate will support team growth while ensuring standards, priorities and both team and business outcomes are consistently met.

THE PERSON:

The successful candidate will embody the following qualities and ways of working:

· Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a critical, curious mindset and a solutions-driven approach.

· Exhibits excellent time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure.

· Proactive, flexible, and adaptable to shifting tasks and responsibilities.

· Builds long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.

· Collaborative, optimistic, and open to change, fostering a positive working environment.

· Clear and confident communication both within the department and cross functionally.

HOURS:

We actively encourage our teams to have a good work/life balance and so we are pleased to offer flexible working shifts at Fred Perry HQ. Our core shift hours are from 10am – 4.30pm and so employees can choose to start and finish early, or start and finish late. (i.e. work 8:00am-4:30pm, or 10:00am-6:30pm etc). We also have 30-minute early finish on Fridays.

As we continue to work in a more flexible way, the Head Office acts a brand hub, where we can all connect and collaborate with one another. This role is a mix of office based (London) and remote working. We will expect the employee to come into the office regularly for face-to-face meetings and to work alongside their team on collaborative projects.

BENEFITS:

We are proud to offer a wide range of benefits to all our staff, and continue to reassess what our community needs from us to thrive. We don’t want to be a good company to work for, we want to be a great one. Here are some things we currently offer:

• Annual performance-related bonus
• Competitive salary
• Generous staff discount and regular sample sales
• Generous pension scheme with 8.5% company contribution
• Option to buy an extra 5 days holiday annually
• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages
• Life insurance
• Private healthcare
• Cycle to work scheme
• Early finish Fridays
• Season ticket loan
• Additional benefits with long service
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Annual Birthday vouchers
• EAP
• Social Events

We actively welcome applications from people of all different backgrounds. Your CV will be submitted to hiring managers with all personal details hidden to ensure anonymity.