Planner, Associate Merchandise

The Vitamin Shoppe•Secaucus, NJ

About The Position

The Associate Merchandise Planner owns inventory planning for an assigned set of categories and brands, driving in-stocks, healthy inventory, sales, and margin across stores and channels. The role manages replenishment, forecasting, and open-to-buy (OTB) for its portfolio, and partners with Merchandising, Private Brand, and Commercialization to execute launches, promotions, and inventory actions. The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, and detail oriented. They turn data into clear recommendations, communicate confidently with vendors and leadership, and are ready to grow into a Planner role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Math, Supply Chain, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of intellectual instruction and work experience.
3–5 years of inventory planning, replenishment, or merchandise planning experience in retail or e-commerce.
Working knowledge of OTB, forecasting, and inventory KPIs, including in-stock, WOS, turns, and OTIF.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with high attention to detail.
Ability to own priorities, make decisions, and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to structure analysis independently and identify root causes.
Ability to multitask with extreme attention to detail while working on multiple projects.
Ability to work independently.
Strong time management skills.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to anticipate upcoming needs.
Highly organized and a team player.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with RELEX or a similar planning system is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own replenishment for assigned categories and brands; review and release orders and allocations daily.
Build and adjust forecasts based on sales trends, promotions, newness, and channel performance.
Maintain vendor forecast files for key partners and process ad hoc orders as needed.
Manage monthly OTB, including receipt plans, in-season shifts, and weekly OTB versus forecast tracking.
Monitor in-stocks, weeks of supply, turns, and aging inventory; develop action plans with Merchandising partners for overstocked, underperforming, and discontinued items.
Manage open purchase orders by adjusting quantities, updating ETAs, closing orders, and following up with vendors on OTIF and past-due orders.
Plan inventory for new item launches, category refreshes, and promotional events.
Ensure accurate new item setup in RELEX and maintain newness trackers and buy sheets.
Support Private Brand launches and replenishment, and manage supply risk with co-manufacturers.
Own recurring reports, including OTB files, store in-stock reports, ladder plans, and promotion performance reports.
Prepare category performance reviews and translate analysis into clear risks, opportunities, and actions for leadership.
Represent Planning in vendor, commercialization, and internal meetings, providing updates on inventory, orders, and timelines.
Respond to store and field inventory questions.
Manage RELEX tasks such as exceptions and forecast review, allocations, and orders.
Identify and drive process improvements that reduce manual work and improve planning accuracy.
Perform other duties as required.