Allocator

Ralph Lauren Corporation; Watford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global lifestyle brand in Watford is seeking an Allocator for a 9-month Fixed Term Contract. This role is pivotal in managing stock allocations and analysis while supporting the planning team. Candidates should have strong organizational and communication skills, advanced knowledge of MS Word and Excel, and familiarity with retail math. The position involves collaborating with various teams to optimize sales and inventory management.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Proficient in logical analysis and problem-solving.
• Exceptional communication ability in writing and verbally.
• Experience in building productive relationships within teams.
• Advanced skills in MS Word and Excel applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage stock allocations and replenishment to stores.
• Produce reports for trade meetings and analyze sales data.
• Monitor inventory to maximize sales and stock ratios.
• Support planning teams with product and size analysis.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication for strategies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Logical analysis

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Retail math

Advanced MS Word

Advanced MS Excel

Tools

JDA

Microstrategy

Promo MD

SAP

Job description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The Allocator plays a key role in the success of their product division, utilising dedicated IT applications to create and manage all initial and replenishment allocations of stock to stores, as well as providing administrative support to the planning team including running reports, analysing sales and stock figures. Please note this is a 9 month Fixed Term Contract based from our Watford Office.

Operations / Financial

• Produce packs for Monday trade meetings which include weekly sales and promotional reports
• Attend Key Meetings to understand season performance as well as forward strategies
• Work within teams to formulate and implement strategies to help drive sales.
• Ensure the financial success of a product group by allocating stock to stores to meet or exceed sales, gross profit, and inventory turn goals
• Track and monitor Distribution Center (DC) and Store available inventory for the product group, maximising sales to stock ratios and turn
• Execute the release of initial product distributions and in season replenishment to stores
• Monitor and ensure full size availability of best sellers, Continuity lines and seasonal products in stores in order to maximise sell through
• Work with cross functional teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of new store openings
• Support planning teams with store, product and size analysis
• Manage store communications through the system 'Retail Intelligence' to answer store call outs and as well as communicate promotional and mark down changes
• Use systems including JDA, Microstrategy, Promo MD, and SAP
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships within cross-functional team (stores, buying, planning, marketing, visual, etc.). In particular the planner and buyer in the team responsible for the product group
• Communicate initial release and replenishment strategies within cross functional team
• Participate in cross functional meetings, contributing input on distribution and/ or trading strategies
• Compose and deliver key trading messages to the wider business.
• Collaborate with peers to ensure consistency of information, share best practices and develop systems knowledge
• Manage communication regarding inventory/replenishment with field contacts on a store by store basis if required
• Store visits to gain insight to performance and availability
• Participate in Company initiatives as appropriate.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Able to organize, prioritise tasks and manages time well in order to meet deadlines
• Demonstrates logical analysis and problem solving skills
• Demonstrates good listening, written and oral communication skills, effectively and clearly communicates
• Able to build and maintain productive relationships within team environment
• Advanced PC and associated application skills in MS Word and Excel
• Show ability or aptitude in retail math, and to learn technical applications quickly