Merchandise Planning & Trade Manager

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Introduction:
The Merchandise Planning & Trading Manager will lead the planning and trading function across planning production, retail, eCommerce and wholesale.

Based at our Hawthorn East head office, this is a hands-on senior role for an experienced individual who is ready to own a function — building the trading rhythm, OTB discipline and pricing architecture that will underpin the next phase of business growth. If you turn data into action, thrive in a lean creative environment and want real commercial ownership, we'd love to hear from you.

We have a supportive team and working environment and are dedicated to creating a memorable and lasting customer and brand experience in all facets of our business.

Description:
ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a high-impact role for a seasoned, senior retailer who is ready to own a function, rather than contribute to one. You will build and lead the merchandise planning and trading rhythm across all channels, creating the commercial discipline and visibility the business needs to grow with confidence.
You will work closely with the Founder, COO and teams across design, buying, retail, digital and production — bringing data clarity, pricing structure and actionable weekly insight to a brand that is commercially strong but ready to operate with greater rigour and pace.
Wholesale is an important growth opportunity within this role. While the core foundation is retail and eCommerce trading, you will also be responsible for developing a structured wholesale merchandise plan — building category mix, price architecture, margin targets and seasonal flow that connects to the broader business strategy.

What success looks like:
Within the first six months, you will have established a consistent weekly trading rhythm, built seasonal merchandise plans with clear OTB discipline, and developed a more structured pricing architecture across the collection. Within twelve months, the business will have a clear wholesale merchandise plan, stronger alignment between channels, and measurably improved stock productivity, sell-through and margin visibility.

Merchandise Planning & Trading

• Own the weekly trading rhythm across retail, eCommerce and wholesale — reviewing sales, stock, margin, sell-through, weeks cover, markdowns and replenishment
• Develop and maintain seasonal merchandise plans, OTB, category budgets and trading forecasts
• Identify in-season opportunities and risks and turn them into clear, owned commercial actions
• Ensure planning is anchored to customer demand, pricing architecture and commercial outcomes

Pricing Architecture

• Build and maintain a clear pricing structure across entry-level, mid-level and exit-level price points
• Ensure each price tier has a clear commercial role: driving volume, improving conversion, protecting margin and lifting ATV
• Identify pricing gaps and recommend changes across retail, eCommerce and wholesale channels

Wholesale Planning

• Develop a wholesale merchandise plan and scope plan, separate from retail but connected to the overall brand strategy
• Analyse wholesale opportunity by account type, market, seasonality and price point
• Support decisions on product differentiation across channels and help identify international wholesale growth opportunities

Retail & eCommerce Performance

• Analyse store and online performance by location, category, product and price point
• Recommend transfers, replenishment, markdowns and allocation changes to improve stock productivity
• Ensure digital trading is treated as a growth channel with its own velocity lens and demand signals

Reporting & Systems

• Build and maintain reporting structures that give the business clear weekly visibility across all channels
• Identify opportunities to introduce AI tools and automation to improve reporting, forecasting and team output
• Simplify manual processes and help build a more data-led, accountable operating environment

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the planning function, including direct reports as the team grows
• Set clear priorities and drive a culture of accountability, ownership and commercial follow-through within the team
• Build team capability in planning disciplines, data literacy and commercial thinking
• Act as the commercial voice of the planning function in senior leadership and cross-functional discussions

Skills and Experiences:
ABOUT YOU:

• Commercially sharp and analytically rigorous — you don’t just report numbers, you act on them
• Confident enough to challenge creative decisions with data, and emotionally intelligent enough to do it constructively
• Self-directed and accountable — in a lean team there is no one to hide behind
• Systems-minded and curious about AI and automation tools that can improve speed and accuracy
• Motivated by growth, measurable progress and being part of something that matters
• A confident and empathetic leader who can build team capability, set clear direction and bring people with you

YOU WILL BRING:

• Minimum 5 years in merchandise planning, allocation, trading or buying support within women’s fashion retail
• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Multi-channel experience across retail and eCommerce; wholesale exposure is a strong advantage
• Demonstrable commercial outcomes — improved sell-through, OTB discipline, reduced stock risk — with data to back it up
• Strong analytical and reporting skills; BI tool experience is highly regarded
• Experience building or owning a planning process, not just maintaining one
• Comfortable working in a lean, growing SME where structure sometimes needs to be built before it can be followed

WE WILL OFFER YOU:

• A competitive salary
• Generous benefits including a clothing allowance and significant discounts on our range and birthday leave.
• Support of a talented, collaborative and growing team.
• Brand new Head Office based in Hawthorn East.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are truly passionate about joining a modern Australian fashion brand, this is the role for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our authentic and inspired Viktoria & Woods team. Apply for this role with your cover letter and CV.

Please note due to the high volume of applications we receive; only successful candidates will be contacted.

Viktoria & Woods is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices.