Associate Planner

Maurices•Duluth, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Merchandise Planner is responsible for supporting in the creation, monitoring, and analysis of annual sales & inventory plans and forecasts which result in maximized profit potential. The Associate Merchandise Planner is responsible for pre-season plans and in season projections for key items/assigned categories and identification of opportunity and risk to optimize sales and profit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
2+ years of retail planning/allocation experience.
Working knowledge of computers with high level of proficiency in excel, word, and database warehouse tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills coupled with excellent organizational and communication skills.
Ability to develop strong, effective cross-functional relationships.
Ability to confidently assert his/her position, while using facts and data to support conclusions and recommendations.
Open and agile to change.
Strong presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Create and implement annual sales, margin, and inventory plans for assigned key items/categories.
Support PLC timeline by initiating plan discussion and development and preparing for milestone meetings.
Create and present financially sound key item/category plans through research and analysis of data, appropriate interpretation of historical data, trend analysis, and collaboration with cross functional partners that support total company financial goals.
Support Planner in validating alignment between Merchandise financial plans and assortment plans.
Develops monthly reforecast of sales, and inventory plans for key items.
Analyzes historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities and to make recommendations for action.
Discuss and communicate forecast with team.
Attend OTB meetings, weekly cross functional meetings to understand trend and impact to key items/categories.
Weekly and/or monthly reporting – channel performance, core vs plus, etc.
Management of key item ladders.
Average store analysis of categories & key items to support Planner pre-season & in-season process.
Promo planning/recap for assigned key items/categories.
Develop ad hoc analyses, recaps, as appropriate.
Understanding of how trends within your category impact the business as a whole.
Learn to use and update key merchandise planning reports such as Rolling Projections, Class Plan Recaps, Hindsight Documentation, etc.
Create and maintain strong partnerships.
Positively impact and influence others and work effectively and efficiently with peers and cross functional partners.
Clearly communicate and collaborate with key business partners including planners, merchants, planning analysts, allocation, and planning peers.

Benefits

Choice of three medical plans, including a PPO plan or High-Deductible plans.
Health Savings Account, with employer contribution (with High-Deductible plans).
Dental, and Vision coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care).
Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
Voluntary Life, Spouse, and Child Life Insurance.
Long-Term Disability coverage.
Basic Life Insurance (at no cost to associates).
Short-Term Disability coverage (at no cost to associates).
Wellbeing platform with Personify Health.
Employee Assistance Program available for associates and their families.
401(k) with an immediately vested Safe Harbor matching contribution (eligible after 6 months of employment).
Tuition Assistance program (available after 1 year of employment).
PTO benefits, including vacation (with accrual or flexible options based on role).
Annual sick time awards.
Holiday pay.
Two weeks of New Parent Leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement.
Continuous opportunities for learning.
Connection building through Associate Resource Groups.
Free access to a state-of-the-art onsite Fitness Facility (for Duluth based associates).