Account Planning Manager Childrenswear

Ref #

W184555

State/Region

New York

Department

Merchandising & Planning

Location

United States

City

New York

Pay Range: The pay range for this job is $65000 - $129225 annually; actual pay is dependent on experience and geographic location.

Benefits: Base pay is only one part of our employee value proposition, which includes a robust benefits package, above-market time off, hybrid working arrangements, incentive compensation, where applicable, and varied learning opportunities.

COMPANY 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

Partner with regional merchandising, sales, and external retail teams to develop, forecast, and deliver balanced, lifestyle-appropriate assortments for assigned retail partners. Support volume and margin growth while reflecting the seasonal RL merchandising vision for the Childrenswear business.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Focus

• Collaborate with regional merchandising, sales, and retail buying teams to identify product strategies and opportunities. Develop assortment plans across all product divisions and categories that support the brand's financial strategy and deliver mutually beneficial, profitable results.
• Partner with the Account Executive and Buyer to ensure seasonal assortment plans meet each account's business objectives and needs.
• Analyze historical and in-season sales to inform future seasonal plans.
• Support the Account Planning process by developing and delivering detailed strategic plans.

Strategic Financial & Assortment Planning Process

• Collaborate with Sales and retail accounts to prepare financial class plans, product flow plans, and door/cluster targets.
• Build assortments and use financial metrics to validate that product placements meet financial goals.
• Provide comprehensive plan recaps.

Analysis and Forecasting Process

• Analyze weekly account performance across Fashion, Seasonal Core, and Core Replenishment Product:

• Identify best- and worst-performing

• Share key insights with the Account Executive, Buying, and Merchandising teams.

• Identify and act on current and future opportunities across all product lines.

• Report on sell-through, product margin, bookings, and class penetration during the season and before and after market.

• Review account sales performance weekly with the Account Executive.

• Partner with teams to conduct store visits and gain deeper insight into retail performance.

• Support ad hoc projects that require a thorough understanding of the product life cycle.

• Create and maintain tools for market preparation and sales meetings.

• Validate and monitor account size scales, flagging adjustments needed to optimize assortment sizing and drive sales.

Reporting Process

• Prepare account recaps highlighting key insights and metrics to support account communication and drive the business.

Account Management and Communication

• Build strong working relationships with each Account Executive and the account's management team.
• Maintain proactive communication and close collaboration across all levels of account management to support plan achievement.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• 3-5 years of related experience in assortment planning, merchandise planning, or account planning, with a focus on retail analysis and a keen eye for product.
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with close attention to detail and accuracy. Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP, required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement tools and processes that improve efficiency.
• Proficiency in retail math.
• Childrenswear experience preferred but not required.

Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws. Please note background checks will be evaluated individually.