Senior Manager, Planning and Travel Retail (ROA)

Role summary

This role is responsible for end-to-end planning leadership across the ROA market, covering Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia & New Zealand. The person in this position will steer business planning, buying, allocation, and in-season execution, ensuring the plan supports both product strategy and financial performance.

The role also plays a key part in shaping and activating cross-brand APAC travel retail initiatives that require advanced buying and merchandising expertise. Close collaboration is required with regional merchants, regional sales, sales operations, business development, and the wider merchandising and planning community.

Business decisions in this role directly affect profit and loss outcomes, including buying choices, markdown actions, and inventory movement. The position also helps align the product offer with market demand so that brand and product strategies are effectively delivered locally.

Key responsibilities

• Own the ROA end-to-end planning process, including business planning, buying, allocation, and in-season execution.
• Build the sales plan, seasonal OTB plan, and seasonal buy plan for the market.
• Finalize buys so they connect back to product direction and financial objectives.
• Work with merchandising teams on franchise and new product lifecycle planning, including balanced buys and exit plans.
• Partner with Finance to improve forecast visibility and track revenue and margin against targets.
• Lead in-season management activities, including markdown and discount strategy in line with commercial and financial goals.
• Monitor product launch timing, lifecycle, sell-through, and delivery status with cross-functional teams, and drive actions to ensure successful store execution.
• Take an active role in the new GTM process and represent the business perspective.
• Share market and channel insights with marketplace analysts so decisions are grounded in evidence.
• Develop the team through coaching, on-the-job guidance, monitoring, and training to strengthen analytical and business capabilities.
• Define merchandising strategy and execution plans for travel retail stores to improve productivity and build awareness of the concept while protecting brand image.
• Create and communicate a cross-brand merchandising vision with clear goals and targets.
• Build a balanced commercial assortment that appeals to travel retail shoppers and supports a premium lifestyle proposition.
• Set buying direction for brands in line with the travel retail vision.
• Improve stock and sales density to support space planning and store design.
• Maximize sales and margin while managing inventory days effectively.
• Review trading patterns, advise stakeholders, and ensure appropriate actions are taken.
• Work with Retail Transformation and Retail Operations to make sure merchandising plans are implemented in stores.
• Set up and manage a merchandising organization dedicated to travel retail, including planning, buying, and allocation processes and best practices.
• Facilitate regular merchandising strategy and range-sharing sessions with key partners and stakeholders.
• Test and monitor new ways of bringing dedicated product ranges to market.
• Build relationships that support retail influence on product creation and seasonal line development.
• Support future cross-brand omnichannel operations projects that require planning and merchandising expertise.

Experience and capabilities

• Strong understanding of style, design, and color patterns behind best- and worst-selling products.
• Experience in retail and product management across major Asian markets.
• Working knowledge of profit and loss drivers.
• Clear understanding of customer needs and purchasing behavior.
• Ability to recognize fashion trends.
• Strong problem-solving, organization, and decision-making ability.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Proven collaboration skills in cross-functional environments.
• Comfortable communicating with stakeholders at all levels, from junior staff to senior leaders.
• Adaptable to changing business needs and market conditions.
• Experience in coaching and developing teams.

Additional information

Reference code: R-20260415-0019.