Associate Merchandise Planner (Hybrid)

Claire's • Hoffman Estates, IL

405d • $59,670 - $79,560

About The Position

The Associate Merchandise Planner position at Claire's is a hybrid role focused on providing planning support for specific product categories. The role involves creating sales and receipt plans, forecasting KPIs, and analyzing data to inform future planning and buying decisions. The Associate Planner will work closely with the planning team to optimize inventory and sales, ensuring alignment with financial goals and departmental strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 1 year of merchandising, retail buying, or planning experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment.
• Analytical skills with the ability to synthesize data and draw conclusions.
• Understanding of retail math skills and merchandise planning.
• Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.
• Sense of urgency and success in a deadline-oriented environment.
• Flexibility to prioritize multiple deliverables.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation of channel level sales and receipt plans and forecasting KPIs.
• Analyze data to correlate historical and current trends for forward reforecasting.
• Assist in the creation of the OTB aspect of the business, preparing forecasts and evaluating performance.
• Protect Claire's interests while maximizing profitability and minimizing liabilities.
• Support the creation of business plans on the category level by month with departmental goals and top-line targets.
• Manage OTB and contribute to monthly business meetings with strategic initiatives for specific classes/categories.
• Review and analyze data to inform recommendations and reforecasting.
• Prepare hindsight documents to measure past performance for future planning.
• Attend and participate in hindsight meetings to relate performance to departmental strategy.
• Prepare, update, and distribute key daily/weekly reports.
• Support the merchandising team with pricing and promotions based on weekly analysis.
• Collaborate with Merchandising to formulate pre-season sales/GM/Inventory flow goals.
• Partner with Merchandising to build assortment strategies that tie to topline metrics.
• Manage cross-functional relationships to support day-to-day business management.
• Become proficient in the Arthur planning system and support the team with new tools.
• Provide direct support to the Planning and Merchandising team on all planning functions.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus plan eligibility
• Vacation time
• Sick time

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree