Allocator - Sports

Role Summary

The role holder is responsible for managing the end-to-end allocation and replenishment of products within the Sports division, ensuring optimal stock levels across assigned stores. The position focuses on balancing inventory with consumer demand, maximizing sell-through, and supporting commercial targets through effective allocation, replenishment, and redistribution strategies. The role works closely with Merchandising, Buying, Retail Operations, and Logistics to execute allocation and consolidation plans that enhance store performance and overall profitability.

Role Responsibilities

• Execute initial allocations of seasonal and core products to stores based on store grading, space, sales potential, and assortment plans.

• Monitor daily and weekly sales, stock, and sell-through by store and SKU to ensure optimal stock levels and product availability.

• Manage replenishment to high-performing stores and SKUs, while identifying under-performing stock for consolidation and transfers.

• Analyze size selling, store profiles, and regional trends to refine size curves, pack ratios, and store grading over time.

• Support new store openings, refits, and closures with appropriate opening stock packages, consolidations, and clear-down plans.

• Prepare and maintain regular allocation and inventory reports to provide clear visibility on store stock health, weeks of cover, and missed sales risks.

• Coordinate with Logistics and Supply Chain to ensure timely product flow, resolving delivery discrepancies or delays that impact store availability.

• Align allocation and replenishment activities with promotions, campaigns, and seasonal launches to ensure on-time, in-full execution in stores.

• Adhere to allocation guidelines, policies, and timelines, and recommend improvements to processes, parameters, and tools based on trading insights.

• Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Buying, and Retail Operations to share store feedback, market insights, and trading risks and opportunities.

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret sales, stock, and performance reports.

• Proficient in MS Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivots, basic formulas) and comfortable working with large data sets.

• Experience using allocation, planning, or ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar) is preferred.

• Solid understanding of retail metrics, store grading, and assortment planning.

• High attention to detail and accuracy in managing store and SKU-level data.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple ranges, seasons, and deadlines.

Experience / Qualification

• Bachelor degree in Business. Degree in Merchandising preferred. Postgraduate degree is advantageous.

• 2 years in merchandising. 1 years in retail allocation. Experience in sports retail. Knowledge of inventory planning.