Japanese Speaking Planning Manager

Key Responsibilities ● Sales Planning o Develop and oversee the creation and ongoing updates of sales plans for each product and sales channel / key account. o Collaborate closely with sales, direct e-commerce, and marketing teams in both the UK and HQ to strategize and manage the sales plans for each product and channel. o Analyse stock and sell out data to identify, report, and capitalise on trends, challenges, and opportunities. Utilise this data to make informed decisions for purchase planning. ● Stock Planning & Purchasing o Develop and execute comprehensive stock planning strategies to ensure optimal inventory levels. o Coordinate with HQ to manage the purchasing process, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement. o Work closely with sales and marketing to optimise inventory for all brand and seasonal campaigns. ● Product Lifecycle Management o Manage the entire cycle of the product, starting from its initial introduction and spanning until its discontinuation. o Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to develop strategies and carry out product launches, oversee transitions, and handle obsolete inventory. ● Retail & E-commerce Coordination o Work in close collaboration with our internal store, e-commerce site, and external retailers to ensure alignment between inventory levels, sales forecasts, and promotional plans. o Meticulously monitor sales performance and promptly make any required adjustments to stock levels in order to effectively meet demand and achieve sales targets. ● Monthly Reviews & Reporting o Prepare and present monthly reviews, detailing inventory status, sales performance, and purchasing activities. o Analyse data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement. ● Profit planning and Budgetary Management: o Support the improvement of profitability and identification of opportunities for improvement through profit analysis and the preparation of annual budgets. o Effectively manage and accurately record and report invoicing and actual costs. ● KPI Management: o Monitor and provide updates on important performance indicators, such as sales quotas, inventory levels, and net profitability. o Devise and execute strategies to surpass and achieve KPI objectives. ● Personnel and Stakeholder Management: o Motivate, lead, and enhance the skills of the Planner. o Collaborate closely with various stakeholders within the company such as sales, planning, operations, and marketing. KPIs: ● Achievement of sales targets. ● Maintenance of optimal stock levels. ● Net profitability of product lines. ● Build strong relations, communications with stakeholders Qualifications / Skills / Experience: • Minimum of 2 years of experience in sales and purchase planning, preferably within consumer goods industries. • Exceptional analytical skills, enabling accurate interpretation of data and informed decision-making. • Excellent organisational and time-management abilities, coupled with the capacity to rapidly adapt to shifting priorities. • Extensive proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite. • Proficient in inventory management software. Previous JDE or eStar experience would be highly advantageous. • Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders. • Japanese speaker, or has good experience of working within a Japanese organisation/culture • High attention to detail with a keen interest and drive to proactively problem-solve • Strong ability to thrive in high-pressure environments and consistently meet challenging deadlines.  #LI-JACUK #citylondon