(T) Associate Assortment Planner

Foot Locker · Utrecht

Apply on the company website

This is a temporary 6-month contract.

With the customer in the center of our vision, the Associate Assortment Planner plays a crucial role in facilitating the creation of a deeper, more relevant connection to our customers. 

The AAP’s main objective is the development, delivery and on-going management of a profitable and productive clustered assortment with the goal of deepening our relationship with our consumer. The AP develops store assortments 6-12 months out and recommends sku count by brand/ franchise using productivity metrices and unites the buyer’s merchandise vision with the divisional financial strategies supplied by the Financial Planner. The AAP is responsible for driving customer experience in store and increasing NPS, while maximizing sales, margin, and liquidation.  

In season the AAP reacts to changes in trend and sell through performance by adjusting distribution plans to capitalize on emerging opportunities and/or to manage SKU count instore. 

The AAP fosters an effective working relationship with the buyer, allocators, marketing/ VM team, CX and vendors to strengthen business and support company strategies. Past and predicted vendor & product performances will help the AAP to determine the product assortment strategy for the coming seasons. 

To be successful in this role, you will need commercial awareness, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to foster strong partnerships with stakeholders. 

• Develop pre-season assortment plans to support the merchandise strategy.
• Supports the Assortment Planner on:
  • Analysis of assortment productivity and highlight trends and opportunities.
  • Setting up store clusters factoring in Space / Productivity, Consumer profile and Store attributes.
  • Space option planning by vendor / franchise resulting in a shopping list for the Buying team
  • Flow of Product to Foot Locker DC
  • Order writing
• Partner with Allocation, Buying and GTM/VM to ensure alignment on distribution.
• Develop sku count and inventory strategies in season (sku life cycle management).
• Support the buying team on product line level planning and forecasting in line with space assortment plan and OTB being given by Financial Planner.
• Manage responsive and seasonal business through linecards.
• Ensure the monthly sku count flow fits within space capacity (intake management).
• Review product distribution plans prior to intake, adapting to trend shifts and new opportunities factoring in Associate Assortment Planner GEO’s input (in-season Trade).
• Maintain and enhance best business practices across the merchandising group by partnering closely with all Assortment Planners, your director and seeking input from respective subject matter experts.
• Support test and learn environment by making initiatives manageable and recognizing scalability fast.

• University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or equivalent education and experience.
• Identify and understand the various business needs and propose solutions/strategic changes.
• Be aware of and introduce innovative approaches/best practices to the business.
• Understand all areas of the business and their requirements and challenges.
• Review current processes to identify potential improvements and implement them together with the responsible area.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a trend driven, high-volume company.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Advanced Excel skills are a must. Experience using planning tools (Marketmax, Arthur, SAP etc) is preferable.
• Project management skills.
• Understanding of the European consumer and regional differences.
• Business mathematical skills are required.
• Ability to work under pressure and with own initiative.
• Sound business/commercial awareness, high concern for effectiveness, entrepreneurial.
• Enthusiastic, goal-oriented team player with a desire to join the biggest in the business.
• Superior communication skills and ability to influence across all levels of a complex, culturally diverse matrix organization: natural ability to engage others into buying into a vision or a solution, while keeping an open mind to others’ opinions.
• Proactive communication, convey healthy confidence, energy, and inspire trust.
• Understand and is passionate about sneaker culture.

• Recognition, inclusion and belonging in a diverse environment
• 25 holidays and flexible working (hybrid position, in office ~2 days p/w)
• Employee Discount on in-store and online products
• Casual Sneaker Culture
• Learning & Health/Wellbeing programs
• Career development and growth in an ambitious international team
• Travel reimbursement
• Access to premium wellness apps
• Bike plan and contribution to gym subscription
• Pension Plan
• Discounted Collective Health plans
• Activities organized by our Social Committee #LI-BF1

• Develop pre-season assortment plans to support the merchandise strategy.
• Supports the Assortment Planner on:
  • Analysis of assortment productivity and highlight trends and opportunities.
  • Setting up store clusters factoring in Space / Productivity, Consumer profile and Store attributes.
  • Space option planning by vendor / franchise resulting in a shopping list for the Buying team
  • Flow of Product to Foot Locker DC
  • Order writing
• Partner with Allocation, Buying and GTM/VM to ensure alignment on distribution.
• Develop sku count and inventory strategies in season (sku life cycle management).
• Support the buying team on product line level planning and forecasting in line with space assortment plan and OTB being given by Financial Planner.
• Manage responsive and seasonal business through linecards.
• Ensure the monthly sku count flow fits within space capacity (intake management).
• Review product distribution plans prior to intake, adapting to trend shifts and new opportunities factoring in Associate Assortment Planner GEO’s input (in-season Trade).
• Maintain and enhance best business practices across the merchandising group by partnering closely with all Assortment Planners, your director and seeking input from respective subject matter experts.
• Support test and learn environment by making initiatives manageable and recognizing scalability fast.

• University or College degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or equivalent education and experience.
• Identify and understand the various business needs and propose solutions/strategic changes.
• Be aware of and introduce innovative approaches/best practices to the business.
• Understand all areas of the business and their requirements and challenges.
• Review current processes to identify potential improvements and implement them together with the responsible area.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a trend driven, high-volume company.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Advanced Excel skills are a must. Experience using planning tools (Marketmax, Arthur, SAP etc) is preferable.
• Project management skills.
• Understanding of the European consumer and regional differences.
• Business mathematical skills are required.
• Ability to work under pressure and with own initiative.
• Sound business/commercial awareness, high concern for effectiveness, entrepreneurial.
• Enthusiastic, goal-oriented team player with a desire to join the biggest in the business.
• Superior communication skills and ability to influence across all levels of a complex, culturally diverse matrix organization: natural ability to engage others into buying into a vision or a solution, while keeping an open mind to others’ opinions.
• Proactive communication, convey healthy confidence, energy, and inspire trust.
• Understand and is passionate about sneaker culture.

More jobs at Foot Locker · Other jobs in Utrecht