Senior Director, Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management (EAP)

About the role

Levi Strauss & Co. is looking for a Senior Director to act as the key Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management (MPIM) representative for the East Asia Pacific cluster. Reporting to the VP Asia Merchandise Planning & Inventory Management, the role represents MPIM's interests in key markets across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, and reports to the VP Asia Merchandise Planning & Inventory Management.

Key responsibilities

• Grow and develop a team of MPIM professionals across the East Asia Pacific market
• Drive merchandise management strategy execution and inventory usage and optimization (inventory turns and E&O)
• Review and sign off investment plans with the MD and MPIM leadership to achieve budget and targets
• Review seasonal results and in-season sales reviews, and support demand management (OTB) and OTB forecasting
• Lead the cluster S&OP process, align demand and sales, and work with commercial GMs to reduce excess and obsolete inventory
• Ensure consistent in-season allocation and replenishment, and build inventory strategies aligned with financial objectives
• Manage inventory within budget, maintain forecast accuracy and balance financial and inventory targets
• Standardize ways of working across markets (investment/buy reviews, S&OP, WOR meetings) and escalate market issues early
• Develop new processes and reporting, support new planning tools, and bridge global and local teams

Required profile

• 10+ years of experience in merchandise financial planning, buying, demand forecasting, inventory management, store allocation, production planning, S&OP and planning systems and tools
• 8+ years of supervisory experience managing multiple functions in merchandise planning, inventory, allocation and order management
• Experience in an omni-channel retail environment (online, wholesale, outlet, franchise, e-commerce)
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills, with proven track record of building inclusive teams

Required skills

• KPIs: sales, margin, inventory, GMROI, inventory turn, fill rate, OTFR, OTIF
• Forecasting, inventory planning and S&OP
• Strong management, storytelling and cross-functional partnership skills