Entry
Return
Marketing and Business Management
Product Planning (Budget Planning and Performance Management) Leader Candidate
Entry| Brand |  GU |
|---|---|
| Location |
Ariake Headquarters: UNIQLO CITY, 1-6-7 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo Location may be changed to a location determined by the company, including overseas. |
| Update | Nov, 5 2025 |
Job Description
Background of Recruitment
GU, one of the Fast Retailing Group's major brands, aims to become a truly global brand by creating hit products that capture mass trends, preventing shortages of hot-selling items, and providing products and services that exceed customer expectations. g.u., one of the Fast Retailing Group's major brands, aims to become a truly global brand by creating hit products that capture mass trends, preventing shortages of hot-selling items, and providing products and services that exceed customer expectations.
There are still many challenges to be overcome for GU to become a truly global brand. Through transformation in all aspects of the clothing business, including building a stronger management team by hiring and training diverse human resources, perfecting products and styling, creating sales floors that are easy for customers to shop at, improving the accuracy of quantity and sales planning, and creating a system for flexible additional production, we will strive to achieve a minimal number of product numbers and We are looking for a Product Planning Leader who can promote GU's unique brand value of enjoying fashion to the fullest at a minimum number of items and at a reasonable price, and who will work with us to take on the challenge of taking on the world stage.
Outline of the department
The Product Planning Department is responsible for developing a plan that will be the basis of the business, such as which products to make, when, how many to make, and the story behind how customers can enjoy GU products. The mission of the Merchandise Planning Department, which we plan to hire, is to "enhance customer and front-line satisfaction, company profitability, and all at the same time in a healthy way. From the formulation of merchandise budgets to product sell-outs, the department analyzes past performance and future prospects from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and formulates and implements countermeasures. In particular, the product planning area of GU, which is a leader in fashion trends, requires constantly changing trend forecasts, speedy PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) cycles, and dynamic decision-making.
The Product Planning Department has three roles: Japan Business, Overseas Business, and EC Business.
■ Job Description
As a category manager of GU products (women's, men's, kids', etc.), you will be responsible for the entire business process from planning the sales budget, sales plan (by season/month/week), and production plan to realize the plan, to the management of the business as a whole to ensure that the business is actually moving forward as planned. The scope of influence can range from several hundred million to several hundred million yen. The scope of influence ranges from several hundred million to several billion yen in scale.
Specific duties include the following
(1) Strategic and tactical planning: Analyze the market environment and formulate strategies/tactics to achieve sales and profit targets. The company also formulates KPIs on product management to manage the execution of strategies/tactics (number of product numbers, pricing).
(2) Merchandise budget formulation: Create monthly/seasonal/divisional/sales/gross profit/cost/cost ratio/discount ratio portfolios.
(3) Merchandise plan scrutiny: Merchandise plans formulated by the merchandiser (MD) are scrutinized using a quantitative/logical approach based on actual sales to improve the accuracy of the plans.
(4) Demand forecasting and sales plan development: Demand forecasts for each product are developed and verified for the product plans in (3) above, and revisions are proposed to the merchandiser. Based on the verified demand forecast, we collaborate with related departments (Corporate Planning, MD, Marketing, IMD, Inventory Control, and Sales) to formulate measures to address the issues and develop a sales plan.
(5) Based on the sales plan, share sales tactics with stores, and manage progress and revise plans to achieve business targets (sales, gross profit, gross profit margin, and ending inventory) based on actual results.
Because GU handles fashion apparel, products change seasonally, and the scale of production and sales is in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of items per product, so it is essential to balance a sense of speed with control of a large amount of business. We will dynamically promote business by balancing highly difficult planning and forecasting with highly accurate numerical control, thereby achieving great results and customer satisfaction.
Job Descriptions are subject to change within the scope of the work related to each department of the headquarters due to departmental changes and reorganization.
Career Path
The position will be in charge of product planning for the Japan business, and will be responsible for catching up with GU's overall business. You will also be asked to manage a store for about six months at an appropriate time after joining the company, which is a prerequisite experience for the business. (Details will be provided at the interview.) After that, depending on your orientation and aptitude, you may be asked to take on challenges in overseas business or e-commerce business.
The Product Planning Manager will be involved in a wide range of operations within the GU value chain, from upstream to downstream, and will develop a foundation in Fast Retailing's core competencies in product management (planning based on principles, revising plans in response to recent business conditions, and planning and implementing sales countermeasures).
Fast Retailing offers a wide range of career opportunities within the Fast Retailing Group, including MD, SCM, Marketing, VMD, Corporate Planning, Overseas Business, Group Business, and COO of overseas operations, in addition to developing your expertise within the Product Planning department (Japan, Overseas, EC).
GU, one of the Fast Retailing Group's major brands, aims to become a truly global brand by creating hit products that capture mass trends, preventing shortages of hot-selling items, and providing products and services that exceed customer expectations. g.u., one of the Fast Retailing Group's major brands, aims to become a truly global brand by creating hit products that capture mass trends, preventing shortages of hot-selling items, and providing products and services that exceed customer expectations.
There are still many challenges to be overcome for GU to become a truly global brand. Through transformation in all aspects of the clothing business, including building a stronger management team by hiring and training diverse human resources, perfecting products and styling, creating sales floors that are easy for customers to shop at, improving the accuracy of quantity and sales planning, and creating a system for flexible additional production, we will strive to achieve a minimal number of product numbers and We are looking for a Product Planning Leader who can promote GU's unique brand value of enjoying fashion to the fullest at a minimum number of items and at a reasonable price, and who will work with us to take on the challenge of taking on the world stage.
Outline of the department
The Product Planning Department is responsible for developing a plan that will be the basis of the business, such as which products to make, when, how many to make, and the story behind how customers can enjoy GU products. The mission of the Merchandise Planning Department, which we plan to hire, is to "enhance customer and front-line satisfaction, company profitability, and all at the same time in a healthy way. From the formulation of merchandise budgets to product sell-outs, the department analyzes past performance and future prospects from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and formulates and implements countermeasures. In particular, the product planning area of GU, which is a leader in fashion trends, requires constantly changing trend forecasts, speedy PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) cycles, and dynamic decision-making.
The Product Planning Department has three roles: Japan Business, Overseas Business, and EC Business.
■ Job Description
As a category manager of GU products (women's, men's, kids', etc.), you will be responsible for the entire business process from planning the sales budget, sales plan (by season/month/week), and production plan to realize the plan, to the management of the business as a whole to ensure that the business is actually moving forward as planned. The scope of influence can range from several hundred million to several hundred million yen. The scope of influence ranges from several hundred million to several billion yen in scale.
Specific duties include the following
(1) Strategic and tactical planning: Analyze the market environment and formulate strategies/tactics to achieve sales and profit targets. The company also formulates KPIs on product management to manage the execution of strategies/tactics (number of product numbers, pricing).
(2) Merchandise budget formulation: Create monthly/seasonal/divisional/sales/gross profit/cost/cost ratio/discount ratio portfolios.
(3) Merchandise plan scrutiny: Merchandise plans formulated by the merchandiser (MD) are scrutinized using a quantitative/logical approach based on actual sales to improve the accuracy of the plans.
(4) Demand forecasting and sales plan development: Demand forecasts for each product are developed and verified for the product plans in (3) above, and revisions are proposed to the merchandiser. Based on the verified demand forecast, we collaborate with related departments (Corporate Planning, MD, Marketing, IMD, Inventory Control, and Sales) to formulate measures to address the issues and develop a sales plan.
(5) Based on the sales plan, share sales tactics with stores, and manage progress and revise plans to achieve business targets (sales, gross profit, gross profit margin, and ending inventory) based on actual results.
Because GU handles fashion apparel, products change seasonally, and the scale of production and sales is in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of items per product, so it is essential to balance a sense of speed with control of a large amount of business. We will dynamically promote business by balancing highly difficult planning and forecasting with highly accurate numerical control, thereby achieving great results and customer satisfaction.
Job Descriptions are subject to change within the scope of the work related to each department of the headquarters due to departmental changes and reorganization.
Career Path
The position will be in charge of product planning for the Japan business, and will be responsible for catching up with GU's overall business. You will also be asked to manage a store for about six months at an appropriate time after joining the company, which is a prerequisite experience for the business. (Details will be provided at the interview.) After that, depending on your orientation and aptitude, you may be asked to take on challenges in overseas business or e-commerce business.
The Product Planning Manager will be involved in a wide range of operations within the GU value chain, from upstream to downstream, and will develop a foundation in Fast Retailing's core competencies in product management (planning based on principles, revising plans in response to recent business conditions, and planning and implementing sales countermeasures).
Fast Retailing offers a wide range of career opportunities within the Fast Retailing Group, including MD, SCM, Marketing, VMD, Corporate Planning, Overseas Business, Group Business, and COO of overseas operations, in addition to developing your expertise within the Product Planning department (Japan, Overseas, EC).
Qualifications
Required Experience, Skills and Abilities
Experience in analyzing issues quantitatively and fact-based, identifying challenges, and logically considering and implementing measures at an operating company, trading company, consulting firm, etc.
Experience in taking a leadership role, collaborating with internal and external parties, and strongly promoting projects.
Highly interested in making clothes, or highly interested in GU's business model and culture
■Welcome experience, skills and abilities
Experience or skills in business planning, marketing (brand management), MD, or management accounting
Business English (e-mail, reading and writing documents, internal and external meetings, external transactions, etc.)
Experience in analyzing issues quantitatively and fact-based, identifying challenges, and logically considering and implementing measures at an operating company, trading company, consulting firm, etc.
Experience in taking a leadership role, collaborating with internal and external parties, and strongly promoting projects.
Highly interested in making clothes, or highly interested in GU's business model and culture
■Welcome experience, skills and abilities
Experience or skills in business planning, marketing (brand management), MD, or management accounting
Business English (e-mail, reading and writing documents, internal and external meetings, external transactions, etc.)
Work Condition
Company Name
GU Corporation
Employment Type
Full-time employee (no fixed term, probationary period (3 months))
■Annual Income
Annual salary range: 5.28-8.64 million yen (monthly salary: 330,000-540,000 yen)
Commuting allowance, overtime allowance, etc. (*All in accordance with our company's regulations)
Bonuses: Semiannual bonus twice a year, year-end bonus (whether or not to be paid and the amount will be decided according to the company's performance and personnel evaluation)
Promotion: Twice a year (determined according to personnel evaluation)
(Not limited to the above, but will be determined based on our company's rules and regulations in consideration of annual salary and experience in previous jobs.
Working hours
Flextime system or management supervisor
Flextime system
Standard working hours per day ... 8 hours, break ... 1 hour
Core time ... 9:00 - 14:00
Flexible hours ... 6:00-9:00 and 14:00-20:00 with overtime
Supervisors
Based on the working hours of the department to which the employee belongs, and left to the employee's decision
Vacations and Vacations
2 days off per week (Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays correspond to working days) Annual paid vacations, special/ congratulatory/condolence leave, childcare/nursing care leave system, etc.
In addition to paid vacations, special leave is granted in the first and second terms (the number of days granted varies depending on the employment status and the company to which the employee belongs).
Insurance
Social insurance (health insurance, employee pension, unemployment insurance, workers' accident compensation insurance, and nursing care insurance)
Benefits
Employee stock ownership system, Mutual aid association system, Affiliated welfare programs, Employee discount system, Cafeteria, Exclusive shuttle bus (for commuting to Ariake office), Defined contribution pension system
Others
We are actively recruiting mid-career workers for our group companies (Fast Retailing, UNIQLO, GU, etc.). We hope you will consider applying for this position after reviewing the following
-You may apply to multiple companies within the Fast Retailing Group at the same time. However, please note that even if you are selected for multiple companies, you will only be able to advance to the final round for one position at a time.
-We will consider your resume, interview evaluation, and other factors in the selection process and may offer you a position in another Fast Retailing Group company.
Smoking is not permitted on the premises or indoors, and there are no smoking rooms or other smoking areas. (Smoking is prohibited during working hours, including breaks.)
GU Corporation
Employment Type
Full-time employee (no fixed term, probationary period (3 months))
■Annual Income
Annual salary range: 5.28-8.64 million yen (monthly salary: 330,000-540,000 yen)
Commuting allowance, overtime allowance, etc. (*All in accordance with our company's regulations)
Bonuses: Semiannual bonus twice a year, year-end bonus (whether or not to be paid and the amount will be decided according to the company's performance and personnel evaluation)
Promotion: Twice a year (determined according to personnel evaluation)
(Not limited to the above, but will be determined based on our company's rules and regulations in consideration of annual salary and experience in previous jobs.
Working hours
Flextime system or management supervisor
Flextime system
Standard working hours per day ... 8 hours, break ... 1 hour
Core time ... 9:00 - 14:00
Flexible hours ... 6:00-9:00 and 14:00-20:00 with overtime
Supervisors
Based on the working hours of the department to which the employee belongs, and left to the employee's decision
Vacations and Vacations
2 days off per week (Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays correspond to working days) Annual paid vacations, special/ congratulatory/condolence leave, childcare/nursing care leave system, etc.
In addition to paid vacations, special leave is granted in the first and second terms (the number of days granted varies depending on the employment status and the company to which the employee belongs).
Insurance
Social insurance (health insurance, employee pension, unemployment insurance, workers' accident compensation insurance, and nursing care insurance)
Benefits
Employee stock ownership system, Mutual aid association system, Affiliated welfare programs, Employee discount system, Cafeteria, Exclusive shuttle bus (for commuting to Ariake office), Defined contribution pension system
Others
We are actively recruiting mid-career workers for our group companies (Fast Retailing, UNIQLO, GU, etc.). We hope you will consider applying for this position after reviewing the following
-You may apply to multiple companies within the Fast Retailing Group at the same time. However, please note that even if you are selected for multiple companies, you will only be able to advance to the final round for one position at a time.
-We will consider your resume, interview evaluation, and other factors in the selection process and may offer you a position in another Fast Retailing Group company.
Smoking is not permitted on the premises or indoors, and there are no smoking rooms or other smoking areas. (Smoking is prohibited during working hours, including breaks.)
Location
Ariake Headquarters: UNIQLO CITY, 1-6-7 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Location may be changed to other locations as determined by the company, including overseas.
Location may be changed to other locations as determined by the company, including overseas.
