DescriptionCategory Planning Analyst is responsible for planning and forecasting demand at brand and vendor level and constantly strive to achieve and lead best practice in demand planning, forecasting and stock management. The Category Planning Analyst plays a key role within the Commercial function (buying and merchandising) by providing high quality data and analysis across budget performance, sales performance, margin and investment. This analysis will be focused across Category, Supplier, SKU & Store level and covering ARI's global estate. You will add significant commercial value by providing commentary and recommendations based on your analysis plus in identifying trends, challenges & opportunities that will need to be actioned so that the Category achieves a sustainable financial performance and return on investment. The ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders such as Global Heads of Category, Finance Managers and Buyers across different functions and across all global locations will be an essential part of this role. Responsibilities•Responsible for merchandise planning and stock forecasting (on an Annual/Bi-Annual/Quarterly basis) for category to ensure optimal stock levels are in place to meet financial and budgetary requirements. •Deliver specialised, high level commercial analysis and evaluation of medium and long term strategic corporate planning opportunities. •Provide an agreed core suite of reports (including commentary and recommendations) to category which will include specific performance analysis reports as well as ad hoc reports as required. •Weekly meetings with the Commercial & Category teams where you will communicate performance, provide challenge and monitor progress on a weekly basis. •Manage the category relationship with the finance managers in each global location to ensure full alignment on all budgets and KPIs. •Responsible for managing optimum stock levels for each business unit as per ARI financial metrics and provide recommendations to the buying team to address any overstock or understocks. •Responsible for planning the seasonal OTB and closely monitoring sell through with the buyers. Make recommendations for appropriate in season actions to be implemented as required. •Responsible for managing the action plan for aged stock levels in the business and reporting on this action plan. •Contribute to the range review process in conjunction with the Category Management Team by providing performance data to support buyers listing & delisting stock where necessary. •Put in place a standardized process to ensure that Buyers can correctly check margins on NPD which follows the category strategy and does not dilute Supplier or category average margin. •Work with the Buying team to ensure that all promotional mechanics and rebates are do not dilute margin. Complete pre and post promotional analysis and provide reports and commentary on results on a weekly basis. •Providing accurate margin and category information as required for any new Bid process •Provide Open-to-buys, margin modelling and forecasting for any ARIs new business openings globally •Develop a template to analyse the upside of price management, payment terms, investment levels and promotional rebates for Category. •Work with the global locations and pricing managers to gather buying prices, RSP's and investment levels, pricing upside and tracks them as required. •Provide data and analysis during the annual Supplier negotiation process. Create a standardized way of doing this analysis and sit with the Buying team in Supplier Negotiations if required. •Challenge & drive improvements in current processes & controls. Play an active and influential role in promoting financial impact and awareness within the business. •Work closely with the Rebate Analyst and Buyers to ensure that all rebates (L1& L2) are captured correctly and that margins in the system are always accurate.Qualifications•A minimum of 5 years' experience working in an analytical or demand planning/forecasting type role in a retail/commercial environment. •Advanced Excel skills are essential. •Proven analytical and numerical experience and critical thinking skills are required. •The ability to build and manage strong relationships with senior stakeholders in the business, both in different functions and in different geographical locations. •Ability to challenge managers and provide leadership when introducing new ways of working. •Take a proactive approach to work and can work off your own initiative to scrutinize performance and come with suggestions. •Proven ability to work with a high volume of SKU's in a fast-paced environment. •Prior experience managing stock levels and sales margin preferred. •Knowledge of IT system and programs including Navision and Targit is required in order to support the planning and forecasting function. •Prior experience in a financial role and managing budgets would be advantageous but is not essential. •Experience working in Travel Retail is preferred. •A third level degree in a finance or analytics related discipline •Commitment to daa/ARI Values