We’re Pentland Brands: a global family business behind some of the world’s most iconic active and lifestyle brands. We bring integrity, energy and ambition to our work, setting high standards and striving to deliver great outcomes without ego.
Design rugby apparel built for strength, movement and team identity.
At Canterbury, product has to do more than look good. It has to stand up to the intensity of the game, move with the player and carry the pride of the team, from training ground to match day and beyond.
The Planner will ensure that we have the right product, at the right time, in the right location to achieve sales and margin targets.
Lead demand reviews which ensure commercial and market merchandising teams are adhering to forecast, drive productivity by focusing on the core of our business and balance spend and stock cover with supporting our growth ambition.
What you’ll be doing:
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to strategically plan category and product type volumes based on growth plans, historical data, and market strategies.
Develop pre-season forecasts critical for vendor and material planning, working closely with Regional Market Merchandising and Commercial teams.
Lead demand reviews, confidently analysing and responding to changes in current and future demand, while adeptly challenging forecast robustness.
Prepare transparent monthly buy summaries, ensuring clear visibility of proposed spending across units, categories, and customer mix.
Manage the dynamic buy calendar, allowing flexibility while ensuring thorough checks before purchase order management.
Drive our core business through maintaining inventory stability and optimising sales conversion.
Collaborate with Commercial and Market Merch teams to effectively allocate stock investments and ensure in-season/yearly sales conversion.
Monitor orderbook movements, collaborate with Commercial teams and Customer Operations to adapt plans as necessary.
Monitor the trading funnel and make recommendations for markdown and clearance which drive sales, margin and protect cash and stock health.
What you’ll bring:
Ability to analyse sales data, trends and market research to make informed decisions and inventory levels, pricing and assortment planning; proficient in Excel.
Proficiency in working with numbers, calculations and understanding financial metrics like margin, turnover and forecasting.
Clear and collaborative communication skills.
Familiarity with merchandising software, inventory management systems, and data analysis tools.
Understanding of market trends and consumer behaviour.
Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving.
Strong experience in Excel, Power BI and or knowledge of AI tools.
Willingness to travel to other sites for sales launches or critical stage gate meetings.
This vacancy is a newly created role as part of organisational changes. Final appointment will depend upon the outcome of consultation processes and affected employees will have priority for consideration.
Why Canterbury?
Canterbury is the world’s original rugby brand, built on more than a century of sporting heritage, technical product knowledge and deep connection to the game.
Founded in New Zealand in 1904, Canterbury creates performance kit, training apparel, casualwear and fan product for players, teams and supporters who live and breathe rugby. It is a brand shaped by strength, durability and belonging, supporting people on and off the pitch, from grassroots clubs to the highest levels of the sport.
Joining Canterbury means becoming part of a team that cares deeply about rugby product and the people who wear it: how it fits, how it moves, how it performs under pressure, how it represents team identity, and how it brings players, coaches and fans together.
Perks & Benefits
We offer a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, hybrid working, flexible start and finish times, generous holiday allowance, product discounts, sample sales, enhanced family-friendly policies, healthcare support, gym and fitness discounts, cycle to work scheme and electric car scheme.
You can find full details of our benefits and perks on our UK Benefits page.
The Interview Process
We want our interview process to feel clear, straightforward, and supportive. If your experience and expectations look like a strong match for the role, here’s what you can expect next:
Talent Team Intro Call - A 30-minute video call with our Talent Team to get to know each other, talk through the role and your experience, and answer any questions you have.
Experience Interview - A more in-depth interview (usually online) with the hiring manager to explore your skills, experience and approach, and how these align with the role, our principles, and our ways of working.
Final Interview - A final in-person interview at our office, focused on deeper discussion and practical application, giving you the chance to meet more of the team and see Pentland Brands in action.
Skills Required
- Ability to analyse sales data, trends and market research; proficient in Excel
- Proficiency with financial metrics (margin, turnover) and forecasting
- Clear and collaborative communication skills
- Familiarity with merchandising software, inventory management systems, and data analysis tools
- Understanding of market trends and consumer behaviour
- Attention to detail and proactive problem solving
- Strong experience in Excel and Power BI
- Knowledge of AI tools
- Willingness to travel to other sites for launches or stage gate meetings
What We Do
Pentland Brands is a global brand-management company behind sports, outdoor and lifestyle labels including Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Endura, ellesse, Mitre, KangaROOS, Red or Dead and Kickers. It owns several brands and licenses Kickers in the UK, distributing products directly or through licensees and distributors across more than 190 countries. Its mission is to pioneer brands that make life better.
