Category Planner Nishat Lahore. Are you passionate about retail planning, menswear strategy, and data-driven decision-making? Do you enjoy working with numbers while influencing fashion outcomes? If so, this is your chance to build a rewarding career with one of Pakistan’s most established textile and retail organizations.

Nishat Mills Limited is currently hiring a Category Planner – Men’s Eastern Wear at its Head Office in Lahore. This role is ideal for ambitious professionals who want to contribute to category growth, improve inventory efficiency, and drive sustainable profitability through smart planning.

Let’s explore everything you need to know before applying.

🏢 About Nishat Mills Limited

Nishat Mills Limited is one of the largest vertically integrated textile companies in Pakistan. With decades of industry leadership, Nishat has built a strong reputation in:

• Textile manufacturing

• Retail fashion

• Export excellence

• Innovation-driven product development

The company operates across multiple fashion segments, including Men’s Eastern Wear, where strategic planning plays a critical role in profitability and market leadership.

Working at Nishat means becoming part of a high-performance retail environment focused on data, efficiency, and commercial growth.

📌 Position Overview: Category Planner – Men’s Eastern Wear

This is a mid-level strategic planning role designed for professionals who understand retail math, forecasting, inventory management, and sales analysis.

The Category Planner will:

• Drive seasonal and annual financial planning

• Optimize stock levels and buying decisions

• Ensure strong sell-through and margin performance

• Collaborate across departments for smooth execution

If you have 2–4 years of experience in category planning, buying, or merchandising, this opportunity can significantly accelerate your retail career.

🎯 Core Responsibilities

As a Category Planner, you will be the analytical backbone of the Men’s Eastern category. Your key responsibilities include:

1️⃣ Financial Planning & Forecasting

You will:

• Develop seasonal and annual financial plans including:

  • Sales targets

  • Margin expectations

  • Stock investment

  • Intake planning

• Build both:

  • Bottom-up forecasts (SKU-level projections)

  • Top-down forecasts aligned with company targets

• Ensure category plans support overall revenue objectives.

Your ability to translate strategy into financial projections will directly impact profitability.

2️⃣ Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management

OTB management is one of the most critical components of this role. You will:

• Manage Open-to-Buy budgets

• Monitor trade performance

• Re-forecast stock requirements based on sales trends

• Adjust buying plans to maintain optimal inventory levels

Effective OTB management ensures:

• Reduced overstock

• Improved cash flow

• Stronger margin control

3️⃣ SKU-Level & Option-Level Planning

You will create detailed:

• SKU-level sales plans

• Option-level performance forecasts

• Depth and width planning for each product line

This micro-level planning ensures the right products are available in the right quantity at the right time.

4️⃣ Category Mix & Price Architecture

The Category Planner will define:

• Product type mix

• Price segmentation

• Assortment depth

• Entry-level vs premium balance

Your decisions will shape how the category is positioned in the market.

5️⃣ Performance Analysis & Reporting

You will regularly analyze:

• Sell-through rates

• Full-price performance

• Markdown impact

• Margin trends

• Stock turnover ratios

Strong analytical skills are essential to identify improvement areas and recommend corrective actions.

6️⃣ Cross-Functional Collaboration

You will work closely with:

• Buying teams

• Merchandising

• Design

• Supply Chain

• Retail Operations

Smooth coordination ensures that planning translates effectively into execution.

📊 Why This Role Is Important

In retail fashion, planning determines success. Without strong forecasting and inventory management:

• Margins shrink

• Stock piles up

• Sales opportunities are lost

As Category Planner, you become a key decision-maker in ensuring:

• Sustainable growth

• Optimized stock levels

• Improved profitability

• Better financial control

This role directly influences the commercial health of the Men’s Eastern category.

🎓 Educational Requirements

Candidates must hold:

• Bachelor’s Degree in:

  • Business Administration

  • Fashion Management

  • Marketing

  • Or a related field

Relevant coursework in retail math, forecasting, or merchandising will be advantageous.

💼 Experience Requirements

To qualify for this role, candidates should have:

• 2–4 years of experience in:

  • Category Planning

  • Buying

  • Merchandising

• Strong analytical and coordination skills

• Experience handling financial KPIs

• Proficiency in MS Excel and reporting tools

Experience in the Pakistani retail fashion market is highly preferred.

🧠 Essential Skills & Competencies

Successful candidates should demonstrate:

✔ Advanced Excel Skills

• Pivot tables

• VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP

• Financial modeling

• Data visualization

✔ Strong Analytical Thinking

Ability to interpret complex retail data and convert insights into action.

✔ Forecasting Expertise

Understanding of demand planning and inventory optimization.

✔ Communication & Coordination

Ability to collaborate across multiple teams effectively.

✔ Attention to Detail

Precision in SKU-level and option-level planning.

📍 Location

Head Office – Lahore, Pakistan

This full-time position offers exposure to central planning operations and strategic retail decision-making.

📈 Career Growth Opportunities

This role offers excellent career progression pathways, including:

• Senior Category Planner

• Merchandising Manager

• Buying Manager

• Category Manager

• Head of Planning

High-performing planners often move into leadership roles within 3–5 years.

🌟 8 Compelling Reasons to Apply

1. Work with one of Pakistan’s leading textile and retail giants

2. Gain hands-on experience in strategic retail planning

3. Influence financial and inventory decisions

4. Develop strong forecasting and analytical skills

5. Exposure to large-scale retail operations

6. Build expertise in Men’s Eastern fashion retail

7. Competitive professional environment

8. Strong career growth potential

📝 How to Apply

Interested candidates should follow these steps carefully:

1. Prepare an updated CV highlighting relevant experience.

2. Clearly mention “Category Planner – Men’s Eastern Wear” in the subject line.

3. Send your application to: [email protected]

4. Submit before March 11, 2026.

⚠ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

💡 Tips to Increase Your Chances

To stand out among applicants:

• Highlight measurable achievements (e.g., improved sell-through by 15%)

• Mention OTB management experience

• Include examples of forecasting accuracy

• Demonstrate advanced Excel proficiency

• Show understanding of Eastern menswear retail trends

🔎 Is This Job Right for You?

This opportunity is perfect if you:

• Enjoy working with numbers and retail analytics

• Have a strong commercial mindset

• Want to grow in fashion retail planning

• Are detail-oriented and strategic

• Thrive in structured, performance-driven environments

🏁 Final Thoughts

The Category Planner – Men’s Eastern Wear role at Nishat Mills Limited is an excellent opportunity for ambitious retail professionals looking to build expertise in sales planning, inventory optimization, and category growth.

With a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and sustainable profitability, this position offers both learning and leadership potential in Pakistan’s competitive fashion retail landscape.

If you meet the criteria and are ready to take the next step in your retail planning career, submit your application before March 11, 2026, and move closer to shaping the future of Men’s Eastern Wear retail in Lahore.