Senior Forecasting & Planning Manager

Chanel · Shanghai

Function and Job Scope

Lead China FBP forecasting and merchandise planning process, ensuring forecast accuracy, planning discipline and timely business response.
Translate sales trends, campaign plans, channel dynamics and stock status into actionable forecast recommendations to support business adjustment.
Optimize forecasting process and governance to ensure alignment with commercial calendar, product launches and supply planning timelines.
Provide merchandise-related analysis and forecast rationale to support business decisions, while avoiding overlap with broader strategic business planning owned by other functions.
Drive omni-channel forecast accuracy across offline retail, online channels and Travel Retail.
Work closely with Marketing, Retail, Finance, Supply Chain, Regional and Global teams to validate China FBP forecast assumptions and business needs.
Identify risks and opportunities in demand, stock and launch performance, and proactively recommend adjustments to support sustainable business delivery.
Manage and lead a team of 3 forecasting specialists to be the solid backbone of business deliveries.

What you can bring to the team

Key Responsibilities:
Forecasting and Merchandise Planning

Lead demand forecasting and merchandise planning based on sales performance, product lifecycle, launch calendar, channel trends and stock availability.
Provide forecast rationale and merchandise insights to support product marketing, retail activation and campaign planning.
Monitor forecast accuracy and identify key variances, risks and opportunities to enable timely business adjustment.
Fine-tune monthly omni-channel forecast, covering offline retail, online channels including Tmall and .COM, and Travel Retail.
Maintain regular communication with Regional and Global forecasting teams to validate China FBP forecast assumptions and demand signals.
Provide forecast intelligence to support budget assumptions, launch volume planning and supply allocation discussions.
Calibrate with Marketing and Retail teams on SPM/Testers forecast and supply needs for new openings, campaigns and podium activations.

SPM

Working with Marketing & VM on campaign and regular SPMs
Input SPM into forecasting system and monitor on status to ensure campaign launch on time
Working closely with marketing operation team for SPM stock management

FBP Counter Assistant

Inventory

Insights generation and stakeholder management

Convert campaign performance, retail feedback and market signals into practical recommendations for forecast and stock adjustment.
Support cross-functional business reviews with clear forecast assumptions, risks and action proposals.
Provide data-driven input for upstream communication with Regional and Global teams on China demand and supply needs.
Drive special forecast and merchandise projects with relevant teams to fulfill business requirements.
Being the key contact window for forecasting and planning related topics and able to drive division priorities.

Person Specifications:
Academic / Professional Qualifications
▪University Degree or above
Work Experience

At least 10 years’ relevant experience in demand forecasting, merchandise planning, supply planning or commercial planning in Luxury/Beauty or FMCG industry, with 5+ years’ managerial experience in a multinational environment
Familiar with the business operation procedures of cosmetics industry and/or retail industry with strong data analysis and implementation skills
Sensitivity on the luxury branding and retail operational need detecting

Required Competencies

Strong business acumen with the ability to understand commercial priorities, retail dynamics, product lifecycle, launch calendar and supply constraints.
Solid forecasting, merchandise planning and analytical capability, with the ability to translate data, sales trends, stock status and market signals into clear business implications.
Strong numerical sensitivity and modelling capability, with attention to forecast accuracy, assumptions, risks and opportunities.
Ability to generate actionable insights and practical recommendations to support product allocation, replenishment, launch follow-up and timely business adjustment.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and engage others around shared business priorities.
Detail-oriented, organized and rigorous, with high ownership for data quality, process accuracy and planning governance.
Agile and resilient in a changing business environment, with the ability to identify issues early, adapt plans and propose solutions proactively.

FBP Counter Assistant

Strong people leadership and team management capability, with the ability to coach, develop and engage team members while driving accountability and high-quality delivery.
Commitment to high standards of ethics, compliance and data confidentiality.

Key Interactions:
Internal