Narry McKenzie
Woonona,Australia
Summary
Results-driven Merchandise Planner with 14 years of experience in hard goods. Skilled in replenishment, allocations, demand planning, inventory management, and budgeting, with a proven ability to adapt and learn quickly. Experienced in fast-paced environments, and proficient in managing multiple priorities. Consistently delivers high-quality outcomes through effective collaboration and strategic planning in dynamic settings.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Planner - Toys
Big W
Bella Vista, NSW
04.2024 - Current
- Developed merchandise financial plans using top-down and bottom-up data to enhance performance.
- Created category strategies aligned with financial metrics to drive profitability.
- Established models and forecasts for precise financial planning, optimizing stock, sales, and profit.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to maintain adherence to critical path schedules.
- Designed option plans enabling Designers and Buyers to select optimal ranges.
- Prepared range reviews for buy sign-off, ensuring alignment with plan parameters and open-to-buy (OTB).
- Managed in-season OTB, inventory, profit, replans, markdowns, and promotional strategies.
- Monitored in-season and post-season Department performance, partnering with Buyers for improvement initiatives.
Merchandise Planner
Rebel Sport
Rhodes, Australia
01.2016 - 04.2024
- Developed and managed annual category budgets for LFL, Non-LFL, Online, Import, Private Brand, and Warehouse channels.
- Presented key strategic initiatives, growth trends, risks, and opportunities to management.
- Managed Open to Buy (OTB) requirements through monthly replanning and forecasting processes.
- Identified risks and established growth opportunities through effective inventory management.
- Oversaw planning and re-forecasting of core articles to optimize stock levels.
- Coordinated weekly replenishment of core articles and seasonal article allocations.
- Compiled seasonal Category Plans for sales, inventory, margin, and purchase targets to inform strategic direction.
- Conducted Seasonal Range Reviews to assess product performance.
Assistant Merchandise Planner
Rebel Sport
Rhodes, Australia
07.2013 - 12.2015
- Prepared and analysed demand plans for Private Brand and provided recommendations on purchasing and inventory control.
- Supported Merchandise Planner in all aspects of merchandise planning, forecasting and analysis.
Merchandise Planning Assistant
Rebel Sport
Rhodes, Australia
11.2011 - 06.2013
- Assisted in the implementation of Netstock Inventory Replenishment tool in the business.
- Managed in stock availability of key items and core volume articles whilst adhering to category inventory targets.
- Analysed sales and stock at store level and proactively responded to over/under stocked stores.
- Provided recommendations on store over/under stocks of core lines to maximise sales and profit.
- Prepared and reviewed weekly replenishment to stores and maintained model stock for core articles.
- Prepared and distributed Monday trade reports to key stake holders.
- Assisted Merchandise Planner with collating information for range review packs and data analysis.
Allocator
M Webster Holdings Pty Ltd: Apparel & Fashion
Waterloo, Australia
07.2010 - 10.2011
- Managed the allocation of merchandise to stores based on planned sales, inventory targets and buying decisions.
- Prepared replenishment orders for stores based on model stock.
- Analysed sales and stock at store level and proactively responded to over/understocked stores.
- Monitored store performance and proposed changes to store grading and assortment.
- Performed size analysis and provided proposals for sizing strategy and allocation.
- Visited stores and warehouse to monitor stock levels and capacity.
- Prepared weekly merchandise reports.
- Supported Merchandise Planner with data compilation and analysis.
Assistant Inventory & Logistics Coordinator
M Webster Holdings Pty Ltd: Apparel & Fashion
Waterloo, Australia
10.2009 - 07.2010
- Coordinated and monitored scan-packing and shipping.
- Prepared scan-pack picking files for freight forwarder.
- Liaised with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely delivery.
- Prepared shipping reports for key stakeholders.
- Coordinated picking schedules at local warehouse to ensure timely dispatch and delivery of store replenishments.
- Prepared delivery files for courier.
- Provided administrative support for stock-take.
- Supported Inventory and Logistics Manager with various inventory and logistics related initiatives and projects.
Store/Casual Sales Assistant
JB Hi-Fi: Macarthur Square / The Strand Arcade
Sydney, Australia
03.2007 - 07.2010
National Sales Administrator
M.L.A Holdings Pty Ltd: Mitsubishi Forklifts
Wetherill Park, Australia
09.2008 - 11.2009
Fleet Management Administrator /Purchasing Controller
M.L.A Holdings Pty Ltd: Mitsubishi Forklifts
Wetherill Park, Australia
06.2008 - 08.2008
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSWNegotiations Course -
The Gap Partnership
Sydney, NSWMerchandise Management -
Numensa Academy
Sydney, NSWBuying And Planning Course -
Numensa Academy
Sydney, NSWSkills
- Time management
- Analytical skills
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Open to buy
- Inventory control
- Priority management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- BW
- SAP
- Anaplan
- Netstock
Accomplishments
BIG W Team of the Year 2025 award - Finalist
BIG W Supplier Partnership Team of the Year 2025 award - Finalist
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Merchandise Planner - Toys
Big W
04.2024 - Current
Merchandise Planner
Rebel Sport
01.2016 - 04.2024
Assistant Merchandise Planner
Rebel Sport
07.2013 - 12.2015
Merchandise Planning Assistant
Rebel Sport
11.2011 - 06.2013
Allocator
M Webster Holdings Pty Ltd: Apparel & Fashion
07.2010 - 10.2011
Assistant Inventory & Logistics Coordinator
M Webster Holdings Pty Ltd: Apparel & Fashion
10.2009 - 07.2010
National Sales Administrator
M.L.A Holdings Pty Ltd: Mitsubishi Forklifts
09.2008 - 11.2009
Fleet Management Administrator /Purchasing Controller
M.L.A Holdings Pty Ltd: Mitsubishi Forklifts
06.2008 - 08.2008
Store/Casual Sales Assistant
JB Hi-Fi: Macarthur Square / The Strand Arcade
03.2007 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Wollongong
Negotiations Course -
The Gap Partnership
Merchandise Management -
Numensa Academy
Buying And Planning Course -
Numensa Academy