Japanese speaking Planning Manager
Ref: WL47265
A Japanese electronics company is currently recruiting a Planning Manager to work in their West London office.
In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the sales planning and stock procurement process, ensuring optimal sales and inventory levels across various channels.
The ideal candidate should have strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of inventory management and retail operations.
Understanding of Japanese culture and Japanese language skill is essential.
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ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
* (O) Eligible visa: Permanent residence, Spouse, Partner
* (X) NOT eligible: Student visa, Requiring visa sponsorship, Working holiday, Graduate, Freelance
WORK TYPE: Hybrid - 3 days WFO, 2 days WFH
VISA SUPPORT: No
BENEFITS: Medical Insurance
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TYPE: Permanent, full-time
WORKING HOURS: Monday to Friday, 35hrs/week
SALARY: £46-49k depending on experience + bonus
START: ASAP
LOCATION: West London
Benefits: Private health insurance, generous pension scheme, Learning program, Employee Discount etc
Planning Manager Main Responsibilities:
* Develop and oversee the creation and ongoing updates of sales plans for each product and sales channel/key account
* Collaborate closely with sales, direct e-commerce, and marketing teams in both the UK and HQ to strategise and manage the sales plans for each product and channel
* Analyse stock and sell out data to identify, report, and capitalise on trends, challenges, and opportunities
* Utilise data to make informed decisions for purchase planning
* Develop and execute comprehensive stock planning strategies to ensure optimal inventory levels
* Coordinate with HQ to manage the purchasing process, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement
* Work closely with sales and marketing to optimise inventory for all brand and seasonal campaigns
* Manage the entire cycle of the product, from initial introduction to discontinuation
* Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to develop strategies and carry out product launches, oversee transitions, and handle obsolete inventory
* Work in close collaboration with internal store, e-commerce site, and external retailers to align inventory levels, sales forecasts, and promotional plans
* Meticulously monitor sales performance and adjust stock levels to meet demand and achieve sales targets
* Prepare and present monthly reviews detailing inventory status, sales performance, and purchasing activities
* Analyse data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement
* Support profitability improvement and identification of opportunities through profit analysis and preparation of annual budgets
* Manage and accurately record invoicing and actual costs
* Monitor and provide updates on performance indicators such as sales quotas, inventory levels, and net profitability
* Devise and execute strategies to achieve KPI objectives
* Motivate, lead, and enhance the skills of the Planner
* Collaborate closely with various stakeholders within the company
Planning Manager Ideal Candidate:
* Minimum of 2 years of experience in sales and purchase planning, preferably within consumer goods industries
* Exceptional analytical skills
* Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
* Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
* Proficient in inventory management software (Previous JDE or eStar experience will be highly advantageous)
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Experience working within a Japanese organisation/culture
* Business level fluency in both English and Japanese
** All applicants for the Planning Manager must have the right to work in the country as the Company is not able to offer visa support.
*We regret that we cannot accept applications from Working holiday visa, Graduate or Student visa holders.
*When contacting us, please include the job reference number (Ref: WL47265) at the top of your message.
If your application is successful, you will be contacted within two business days. We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive we cannot provide feedback on individual CVs.