Merchandise Planner - Technology

Company Overview

The Warehouse Group is a well-known New Zealand retail business that has supported communities across Aotearoa for more than 30 years. It is the country’s largest general merchandise retailer, with brands including The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, and Noel Leeming. The company values agility and teamwork, and is currently evolving its planning function to be more brand-focused, insight-led, and customer-centric.

Role Summary

This position is for an experienced and commercially minded Merchandise Planner in the Technology category, covering areas such as mobiles, accessories, gaming, and broader consumer tech. The role blends financial planning, stock and demand optimisation, and category performance improvement. You will work closely with Buying and Supply Chain teams to ensure the right products, at the right time and price, while keeping customer needs central to decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the Technology planning cycle, including OTB, budgeting, and forward forecasts.
• Collaborate with demand planning teams to build accurate forecasts using promotional plans, seasonality, and long-term trends.
• Work alongside buyers to create strong assortments and range plans that support sales, margin, and stock turn goals.
• Review product, customer, and performance data to uncover risks, opportunities, and practical actions.
• Improve stock flow and product lifecycle control to maintain availability while reducing excess and aged stock.
• Handle markdown planning and category spend to support profit and protect return on stock.
• Convert complex information into clear insights that guide decisions across Buying, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Support long-term category direction through insight-based recommendations and close cross-functional partnership.

What You Need

• 3–5+ years of experience in merchandise planning within retail or FMCG.
• Strong background in OTB management, forecasting, and budgeting across multiple SKUs.
• High numerical ability and sharp analytical thinking, with the skill to simplify complex data into usable actions.
• Exposure to promotional trading cycles, supplier-funded rebates/scanbacks, and branded technology suppliers is beneficial.
• Experience with forecasting and visualisation platforms such as RELEX, Power BI, and MicroStrategy is an advantage.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and work well with others.
• A proactive, curious, and solution-oriented mindset with strong commercial judgement.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, changing environments where adaptability matters.

Additional Information

The company places importance on having the right people in the right roles and offers a workplace where your work has visible impact. You can expect a supportive, dynamic team environment and engaging work.

Benefits

• Hybrid working with up to 2 days from home.
• Discounts across company brands.
• Wellbeing support.
• Leave benefits including birthday leave, charity day leave, and 26 weeks of paid parental leave for permanent employees.
• Other employee benefits are also available.