Lead Planner

location

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

category

Merchandise

Type

Full-time

Posted: Nov 5th 2025

Company Description

Are you a commercially sharp planner with a passion for shaping ranges that meet everyday Kiwi needs? This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact in one of our most dynamic and fast-growing areas: Grocery.

The Warehouse Group (TWG) has become a Kiwi household name, and we proudly recognise the role we play in communities throughout New Zealand. We are the largest general merchandise retailer in NZ across The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery & Noel Leeming. We are at an exciting point in our journey where our focus is on becoming brand-centric, aiming to deliver an unparalleled experience for our customers. Agility and collaboration are cornerstones of our work culture, empowering us to adapt swiftly and work seamlessly together. By being brand-led and retail-focused, we are intentional about placing the right people in the right roles, allowing us to perform work that truly makes a difference.

Job Description

As the Lead Planner for Grocery, you will set strategic direction across this high-growth category, partnering closely with the buying team to drive commercial performance and excellence in planning. Grocery has been one of our fastest-growing business areas for the past three years, so this is a critical role that will help fuel continued momentum and unlock future opportunities.

You will lead and develop a team of planners, fostering capability uplift and best-practice planning across the function. With strong commercial insight, outstanding analytical ability and customer focus, you will ensure we land the right products, at the right time, with the right stock levels to deliver on sales, margin and availability targets. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will actively trade the category, understand emerging trends and translate data into actionable plans that delight our customers.

Key responsibilities include:

- Lead Grocery category planning strategy in collaboration with the buying team
- Build and deliver budget and range financial plans, with strong ownership of OTB and stock flow
- Mentor, coach and develop a team of planners, building capability and performance
- Translate customer and market insights into compelling commercial assortment decisions
- Manage product lifecycle, stock flow and seasonal planning to optimise results
- Monitor trade performance, manage risk and seize opportunities through timely action
- Plan and manage pricing, markdown and promotional strategies aligned to financial and customer objectives
- Champion planning discipline, process consistency and data accuracy
- Communicate performance, insights and actions clearly to stakeholders, fostering alignment and collaboration

Qualifications

You have deep planning experience and thrive in a fast-paced retail environment. You are customer-led, commercially driven and skilled at turning data into stories and decisions. You collaborate naturally, influence confidently and lead with integrity and a growth mindset.

To be successful, you will bring:

- 5 years retail and/or merchandise planning experience in a large or multi-category environment
- Proven experience leading, supporting and developing planners
- Exceptional analytical capability and commercial acumen
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- A proactive, decisive approach with the ability to move quickly and make well-informed decisions
- Passion for process discipline and continuous improvement

Additional Information

You’ll be joining a dynamic and supportive environment within a business that’s passionate about its people and its purpose. This permanent opportunity offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact, shaping ranges that connect with customers across New Zealand while working alongside a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Be part of our journey to make sustainable living easy and affordable for everyone.