Associate Merchandise Planner

The Guitar Center Company•Frederick, MD

4d•$60,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate, Merchandise Planning is a hybrid role bridging Merchandise Planning and Category Management, supporting the achievement of financial and strategic objectives. Key responsibilities include financial interpretation, planning, forecasting and operational support to optimize business outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related discipline.
3-5 years direct experience in retail, store operations, merchandising or allocation.
Attention to Detail: Maintain accuracy in reporting, planning, and operational execution.
Analytical and Financial Acumen: Ability to interpret and analyze data to drive business decisions.
Organizational and Time Management Skills: Effectively manage multiple priorities, including regular reporting and ad hoc tasks.
Collaboration and Communication: Work effectively across teams, ensuring clear and timely communication.
Adaptability: Flexibility to handle evolving priorities, seasonal needs, and ad hoc projects.
Ability to work a flexible schedule based on department, rental season and Music & Art’s needs.
Knowledge of MS Office computer programs is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Forecasting
Sales, Margin, and Receipts Planning: Interpret and align financial targets by channel and dept.
Bottoms-Up Merchandise Financial Plans: Develop detailed financial plans that support and align with category strategies.
Rolling Forecasts: Maintain and update rolling forecasts at the department level in collaboration with Planners and Category Managers.
Product Flow and Risk Mitigation: Review and analyze inventory flow to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Weekly and monthly performance metrics.
Special events and seasonal peak analysis.
Vendor performance and inventory updates.
Data Reporting and Insights: Prepare and share actionable insights through regular and ad hoc reports
Ad Hoc Analysis: Provide data-driven support for strategic and tactical decision-making as needed.
Communication Triage: Act as a point of contact to review, prioritize, and resolve internal communication requests through platforms such as email and internal tools.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Planners, Category Managers, and other stakeholders to support business initiatives and strategies.
Support planning, preparation, and reporting for major events and seasonal peaks, ensuring alignment with broader financial and business goals.
Prepare and update price change sheets for the following:
Vendor cost updates
Temporary minimum advertised price (MAP) reductions
Promotional price changes
Price list reviews
Submit updates for approval to Category Managers and make revisions as needed
Complete and submit forms for the following:
Item maintenance: Support new item builds, updates, and audits for accurate item management and presentation.
Price and Promotion Management: Assist with preparation, management, and approval of pricing sheets, promotional activities, and vendor updates.
Print special product order builds
Conduct Web Asset audits and collaborate with Category Managers to resolve issues and identify improvements.
Serve as the first point of contact for internal customer queries via tools like Merch email, Supportal, and B&O email groups.
Review, prioritize, and take appropriate actions to address requests.
Compile and share insights through regular reports, including but not limited to:
Negative Margin reports.
Weekly Business Review support reports.
Vendor Performance monthly reports.
Vendor Discontinued Inventory.
Assist Category Managers and Planners with the management and updates of the Master Assortment documents, essential for replenishment and assortment planning.