Retail Planning Architect

Are you a SME in understanding Retail Planning Systems and Processes

Are you passionate about statistical optimization, and simulation skills through software tools and packages

Join us and make a meaningful impact as a Retail Planning Architect

Careers at TCS: It means more

TCS is a purpose-led transformation company, built on belief. We do not just help businesses to transform through technology. We support them in making a meaningful difference to the people and communities they serve - our clients include some of the biggest brands in the UK and worldwide. For you, it means more to make an impact that matters, through challenging projects which demand ambitious innovation and thought leadership.

The Role

The Retail Planning Architect role is to design and implement strategic plans and frameworks aimed at optimizing retail commercial planning, operations and maximizing profitability. This role is crucial in ensuring that retail planning processes are optimized, retail spaces are effectively utilized, merchandise is strategically positioned, and inventory levels are efficiently managed to meet customer demand while minimizing costs. The Retail Planning Architect collaborates with various stakeholders including merchandising teams, buyers, planners, and supply chain professionals to develop and execute comprehensive plans that enhance the overall retail experience and drive business success. By analyzing market trends, consumer behavior, and sales data, the Retail Planning Architect develops innovative solutions to enhance product visibility, improve space utilization, and streamline processes within retail environments. Ultimately, the goal of this role is to create an optimized and efficient retail ecosystem that delivers exceptional value to customers while achieving organizational objectives.

Key responsibilities:

Develop and Implement Retail Technology Strategies : Design and execute comprehensive technology strategies aligned with retail business objectives, encompassing areas such as merchandising planning, assortment planning, inventory management systems, forecasting and replenishment, and e-commerce platforms.
Architect Retail Technology Solutions : Lead the design and architecture of Technology solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of retail operations, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability across systems. This includes selecting appropriate hardware and software components and defining integration frameworks.
Optimize Retail Infrastructure : Evaluate and optimize retail infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, to support efficient and reliable operations across multiple retail locations. Implement best practices for performance tuning, capacity planning, and disaster recovery.
Manage Retail Data and Analytics : Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of retail data to derive actionable insights for decision-making. Develop data models and reporting frameworks to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales, inventory, customer behavior, and market trends.
Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams : Work closely with cross-functional teams such as merchandising, marketing, finance, and operations to understand business requirements and translate them into IT solutions. Foster collaboration and communication to ensure alignment and successful implementation of technology initiatives.
Understanding on Retail Technology Trends : Keep in touch of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in retail IT, and assess their potential impact on business operations. Evaluate new tools and methodologies to drive innovation and competitive advantage in the retail space.
Ensure Compliance and Security : Establish and enforce security protocols, regulatory compliance standards, and data privacy policies to protect sensitive retail information and ensure compliance with industry regulations such as PCI-DSS and GDPR. Conduct regular audits and risk assessments to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Provide Technical Leadership and Mentorship : Provide technical leadership and mentorship to IT teams responsible for supporting retail operations. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development, encouraging team members to enhance their skills and expertise in retail technology.

Key skills:

Proven experience with implementing planning applications like o9 Technologies, Blue Yonder Kinaxis, Anaplan, and Toolsgroup is preferred.
Statistical, Optimization, and Simulation skills through software tools and packages like R, SAS, CPLEX, or similar are desirable.
Deep understanding of supply chain planning concepts including Merchandise Planning, Assortment Planning, Demand Management, Distribution Planning, Master Planning, and S&OP.
Knowledge and training in databases (SQL Server, MySQL) and skills in one or more languages like SQL, MDX, T-SQL, or similar is desirable.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint for analysis and presentation
Strong ability to lead by example and demonstrate proficiency in both product and domain.
Patient listener with the ability to clearly articulate your viewpoint to manage and deliver to customer expectations, even under pressure.
Ability to analyse and process large amounts of data and complement it with intuition to prioritize and focus on the highest value opportunities or the biggest risks is key.
Experience and understanding on Retail Planning Systems and Processes

Good to have:
Good knowledge of Agile Product Management tools e.g. Jira & Jira Align
Excellent multi-tasking and strong communication skills
Experience shaping both functional and non-functional requirements
Experience of working with software platforms that support Buyers and Merchandisers
Awareness of different integration/message exchange patterns
Appreciation of a variety of architectural styles such as Microservices, Domains, Service Oriented Architectures, Event Driven Architectures, Client-Server Architectures, REST

Rewards & Benefits

TCS is consistently voted a Top Employer in the UK and globally. Our competitive salary packages feature paid holiday entitlement, pension contribution, private healthcare including dental & optical coverage, life assurance and income protection, laptop and phone, cycle-to-work scheme, exclusive discounts on gym memberships, discounted rates on car leasing options, staff discounts within the larger Tata network, and access to extensive training resources.

Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing

At TCS, we believe in building and sustaining a culture of equity and belonging where everyone can thrive. Our diversity motto is ‘Inclusion without Exception’.
You’ll find a welcoming culture and many internal volunteering and social networks to join. Our diversity, inclusion and social activities include LGBTQ+ and mental health networks, as well as health and wellness initiatives and sports events (we even sponsor the London Marathon).
We are open to all and treat applications equally, regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, or beliefs.
If you are an applicant who needs an accommodation due to a disability to complete an employment application, or during any phase of the hiring process, please contact us at

[email protected]

with the subject line: “Disability Accommodation Request”.

Due to a high volume of applications, we will be unable to contact each applicant individually on the status of their application. If you have not received a direct response within 30 days, then it should be deemed unsuccessful on this occasion.

Join us and do more of what matters. Apply online now.