This role will be based in Warrington, with the expectation of a minimum of 3 days in the office. As a Merchandise Planning Manager within the GM team, you'll successfully develop an understanding and expertise for your category, manage a category to deliver company sales and margin targets by planning, controlling and monitoring the purchasing, intake, and distribution of merchandise. You'll be responsible for developing and executing a 3-year category strategy alongside the buying manager and be fully accountable for the departmental performance. It is important to continually anticipate the customers' expectations whilst developing effective working relationships with suppliers, internal departments and, where relevant, the personnel management of direct reports. You'll work collaboratively with key stakeholders and be expected to resolve all issues efficiently and effectively. Some of your responsibilities will include: Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all internal customers Knowledge of the customer profile and market trends Conduct store visits to view stock, obtain feedback, and look to enhance sales and stock packages at store and company level Ensure that a competitive and commercial product range, that reflects the strategy, is delivered to the customer with strong availability Motivate all members of your business unit to maximise their talent Lead the performance of direct reports to create high performing climate Building high-performing, engaged, diverse teams, focused on service, sales, and profitability, and driving clear accountability at all levels Have a vision for the department's merchandising strategy, planning a commercial product range that is in line with the company's stock and sales targets Operate an effective and timely sign-off process, working with the buyer, that is in line with the critical path and merchandising planning cycle Ensure all range documents are correctly built for the department, ensuring a balanced product mix, challenging the buyer where appropriate, and ensuring all range documents are kept updated and accurate. Prepares and presents a comprehensive stock and sales plan for the season ahead for the department, presenting any supporting documentation and analysis, ensuring the proposal maximises sales and profit potential Attend all weekly, monthly, and seasonal meetings fully prepared, ensuring all analysis and reports required are completed comprehensively and accurately, taking the lead for merchandising, challenging and influencing where needed Be fully conversant with all orders processing through the systems for the department and any new orders being proposed, and the effect they could have on stock, sales, margin, and budget figures Maximising sales and profit for the given category to meet agreed targets, through strong planning, analysis, and development of global supplier relations Manage all stock and intake for the department in line with company targets Monitoring and evaluation alongside the buyer of the performance of the category against budget/forecast, constantly reviewing outstanding commitment and opportunities, and assessing any issues About you For this role, we're looking for someone who has: Clear understanding of how to serve Customer needs and requirements Ability to champion the customer and trade a customer-focused range Knowledge of the Morrisons business to ensure 1st class execution The ability to create environments where sharing ideas, issues, and concerns is the norm Ability to champion pace, change, and simplicity Ability to gain feedback from colleagues and customers Able to deliver increased sales and profit growth through sound business knowledge and retail experience Analytical thinking - manage multiple data sources and make the appropriate decisions for sales, stock, markdown and profit Ability to manage OTB Experience in pre-season planning to deliver a commercial range with a profitable model Carry out in-season trading to counter any risks and opportunities. Stockflow and stocks in line with targets Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills Reward & Benefits We've highlighted below some of our standard Rewards & Benefits that our colleagues receive. Please note, some roles come with additional benefits such as bonus, company car allowance etc. you'll find further details where applicable in our adverts, or you can speak to someone in our resourcing team for more information. Rewarding success We believe success should be rewarded. So, from a simple thank you to our well-deserved recognition awards, we'll show you how much we value you. We care for our colleagues. It's how we keep hold of the best talent. Pay Morrisons wouldn't be what it is without our amazing colleagues, which is why we offer competitive salaries to ensure we attract and retain the best. Colleague discounts We operate one of the most generous colleague discount schemes in food retail, and currently offer two discount cards, one for you and one for your family or friend. You will be eligible for a 15% discount on all eligible purchases and your friend or family will be eligible for up to 10% discount. Holidays We know how important it is to take time off to relax and unwind. So, to help you achieve a healthy work/life balance, you'll enjoy at least 28 days of holiday a year pro rata (including public holidays). Your holiday will increase depending on your length of service, too. Pension We have a competitive pension scheme that all our colleagues can join. Life assurance In case the worst should happen, we offer a Life Assurance Scheme, more commonly known as a 'Death in Service' benefit. All our colleagues are entitled to this benefit from their first day of permanent employment with us, subject to eligibility rules. Money off Not only will you enjoy 15% off your Morrisons shopping, you'll have access to discount and cashback offers from over 1,500 retailers including everything from fashion and holidays to utilities and electronics. All of our sites offer subsidised meals too. Flexible benefits We offer a range of flexible, voluntary and salary sacrifice benefits that can help you save on your tax and National Insurance. These include: Holiday buy scheme Payroll giving Healthcare cash plan Our exclusive health care cash plan, provided by Sovereign Health Care, offers colleagues a helping hand with everyday health care costs. It pays tax free cash back on a range of everyday health expenses including glasses, contact lenses, dental treatment, prescription charges, physiotherapy and much more. Cover is offered at a differents levels to suit your needs, and up to 4 children are covered at no extra cost! We're pleased to be able extend the offer to colleagues' partners. Terms and conditions apply. Wellbeing with Vita Health At Morrisons we care about our colleagues' wellbeing, and we work with a number of organisations to provide information, advice and support to colleagues and their families. Our wellbeing partner Vita Health, offers free and confidential information, advice and support for all our colleagues and households 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on all wellbeing matters including mental and physical health. They also provide a management support helpline Monday to Friday. Aviva Digital GP and wellbeing We provide colleagues with free access to Aviva's Digital GP and Aviva Wellbeing app services. Colleagues can book can book unlimited video consultations with an NHS-registered, private GP. To help colleagues when they need it most, It's a 24 hour service. Colleague's children are also covered up to age 16. Addiction treatment We're working with the team at the UK Addiction Treatment Group to support the wellbeing of our colleagues when it comes to addiction and behavioural disorders. Salary finance We've partnered with Salary Finance to provide all colleagues with access to simple, useful financial education, as well as access to loans at competitive and affordable rates, repaid directly from pay. Family Friendly benefits Maternity and Adoption Pay: Full pay for the first 26 weeks of maternity and adoption leave. Paternity Leave: Up to 4 weeks of paternity leave, allowing flexibility within 52 weeks of the birth or placement. Neonatal Leave: An additional week of leave for every week the baby spends in neonatal care, up to the original due date, with a maximum of 12 weeks. Fertility Leave: Up to five days of paid leave per cycle for prospective mothers undergoing treatment, and up to two days of paid leave for partners Plan your journey Hilmore House (Head Office), Bradford, United Kingdom, BD37DL