OTB Merchandise Planner

As an OTB Merchandise Planning Manager, the individual will be responsible for managing Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets, inventory planning, and merchandise performance across retail channels for a lifestyle retail business. S/he will ensure the right product availability at the right time by balancing sales, stock levels, profitability, and assortment planning while minimizing excess inventory and stock-outs. Needs to be analytical, commercially driven, detail-oriented, and highly organized with strong planning and stakeholder management skills.

Experience: 5–10+ years in OTB, Merchandise Planning, Retail Planning, or a similar role.

Key Responsibilities/What You Will Do

• Manage seasonal, monthly, and weekly OTB budgets across categories, brands, stores, and channels.
• Monitor stock intake, inventory levels, and sales performance to optimize stock productivity.
• Analyse sales trends, sell-through %, stock turn, GMROI, markdowns, and inventory aging.
• Forecast demand and recommend replenishment, liquidation, and corrective inventory actions.
• Work closely with merchandising and buying teams on assortment planning, product mix, and seasonal launches.
• Track sales, margin, and inventory productivity against business targets.
• Prepare MIS reports, dashboards, and planning insights for leadership reviews.
• Coordinate with supply chain, e-commerce, finance, store operations, and vendors for smooth execution.
• Ensure efficient utilization of ERP and retail planning systems for forecasting and inventory management.

Qualifications & Skills/What You Need

• 5–10 years of experience in merchandise planning, retail planning, inventory management, or OTB planning within fashion/lifestyle retail.
• MBA/PGDM in Retail, Fashion Management, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail math, inventory planning, forecasting, and OTB management.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel, MIS, and retail planning/ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• High attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment.

Why HUFT?

• Be part of one of India's most loved pet care brands at a genuinely exciting phase of growth.
• Work in a fast-moving, high-ownership environment where your decisions visibly move the needle.
• Collaborate with a passionate team that takes pets seriously — and has fun doing it.
• Medical Insurance/Perks
• Competitive compensation with performance upside.

Skills: otb,inventory planning,merchandise,merchandise planning,retail,sales,allocations,forecasting