Retail Merchandiser / Planning Manager

Kent, England, United Kingdom

12/2/2024

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company? If so, then you could be the newest addition to our team as the Retail Merchandiser / Planning Manager serving the needs of millions of Duty Free Ferry passengers each year with routes spanning across Europe from the Baltics to North Africa.

Be part of the movement – and play your part

Are you ready to take the lead in defining stock and logistics retail excellence on an international stage? Bringing your passion and knowledge to a pivotal role in the Travel Retail industry and within an International Duty Free Retailer.

As a Retail Merchandiser / Planning Manager in our international Duty Free business, you'll be at the forefront of coordinating the LS21 auto order systems with our dynamic Category Managers and key stakeholders. Your role will be pivotal in supporting our global roll-out, ensuring seamless operations by monitoring system parameters and providing Category Managers with actionable insights and opportunities.

You'll be the go-to expert for supplying monthly seasonality uplifts, ensuring our stock levels perfectly match seasonal demands. Your support will be crucial in managing stock and product lifecycles, helping us meet stock targets, drive sales, and minimize risks. Additionally, you'll identify and brief all Stock & Logistics systems reporting tools, ensuring they are validated and optimized for peak performance.

You Will Also Be Responsible For

• Support Category Managers with measurement of ranging and space performance (quarterly) through creation of standardised tools. Make recommendations on optimised shop layouts to optimise sales.
• Provide standardised weekly summary of key performance indicators relating to fulfilment rates, availability, stockholding and quality of stock.
• In partnership with Buying Heads and Head of Retail create category stock budgets for all routes, monitor stock vs budget and flag issues/opportunities.
• Duty Free shop visits to engage with Onboard Commercial Manager/onboard teams/ Shore Side Duty Free Shop Manager regarding stock trends and discuss risks and opportunities.
• Partner with Global Travel Retail Managers & Head of Retail to develop sales, stock and markdown plans to deliver KPIs and Financial Goals.
• Own the vessel/shop delivery schedule/cycle, identifying and mitigating risks to ensure accurate intake of stock according to planned levels.
• Manage the Tobacco order cycle (UK) to ensure optimised use of stock, fulfilment and on-shelf availability.
• Working closely with Category Managers and Shore Side Duty Free Shop Manager to identify and deliver supply chain cost savings.
• Creation and maintenance of SKU level forecasting tools to support Category Managers to ensure optimised supplier stocks and on-shelf availability.
  
  

About You

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of retail logistics? The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of experience in a logistics or stock planning role, ideally within the UK FMCG Retail market or Travel Retail. They will possess a deep understanding of the processes and systems needed to set and monitor sales and stock plans and will have a proven track record in managing delivery schedules, forecasts, and intake plans. Their expertise will shine through in optimizing stock levels and reducing operating costs.

This role demands excellence in time management and project management, along with advanced numerical, planning, and analytical skills. Proficiency with computer systems is a must. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, able to quickly adjust to unexpected changes, and confident in suggesting calculated risks, using sound judgment and decision-making skills. They will excel in building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and will be educated to degree level, ideally in a financial, sales, marketing, or business-focused discipline. A full passport is essential as some international travel is required.

We are looking for someone who is engaging and thrives in a dynamic, international retail environment. They will be comfortable managing multiple tasks, collaborating with various stakeholders to meet business needs, and will have a problem-solving mindset. Independence and initiative are key, and a great sense of humour will help them enjoy our vibrant office environment. If this sounds like you, we can't wait to meet you!

We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us.

Be a valued member of a diverse team at DFDS and help drive change together.

While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.

Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:

• Life assurance cover
• Contributory company pension scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
• Full employee assistance programme including:
• Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
• Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
• Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
• Access to Breeze, our award-winning Wellbeing platform.
• Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.
  
  

Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply Now.

If you think your personality, skills, experience, and desire match this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible, as we’re keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We are a transport and logistics company providing the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods - more than 12,000 colleagues, all committed to transforming our business into a greener and more digitised operation. We are proud of our role as part of the critical infrastructure serving customers and communities across Europe and further afield.

Be part of DFDS and be part of the movement.