Director, Allocation & Planning
About The Position
The Director of Allocation & Planning is a key leadership role responsible for inventory optimization, allocation strategy, and merchandise planning execution across the organization. Reporting to Buying & Merchandising Leadership, the position provides leadership and direction to the Senior Planning team while overseeing the Allocation function. The Director ensures inventory is positioned appropriately to maximize sales, margin, inventory turn, and product availability. The role serves as a critical bridge between Planning, Allocation, Buying, Merchandising, Finance, Distribution, and Logistics, translating broader company strategies into actionable inventory and planning decisions. The position is based onsite at the Corporate Office in Acton, Massachusetts, five days per week.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, Analytics, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of progressive retail merchandise planning and allocation management experience.
- Proven experience leading and developing Senior Planners, Planners, Allocators, or other inventory professionals.
- Strong knowledge of retail planning, allocation, replenishment, forecasting, and open-to-buy management.
- Strong financial and analytical skills, with experience managing sales, margin, inventory, receipt, and turn performance.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with merchandise planning, allocation, and reporting systems.
- Strategic thinking and willingness to work through detailed inventory and business analysis.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations and influence cross-functional partners.
- Collaborative and proactive approach, and comfort working in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Experience coaching and developing teams while holding them accountable for results.
- Ability to work onsite at the Corporate Office in Acton, Massachusetts, five days per week.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the allocation and planning team, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability.
- Partner with Buying & Merchandising Leadership to execute company-wide sales, inventory, margin, and open-to-buy strategies.
- Oversee allocation and replenishment strategies across stores and e-commerce to maximize product availability while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.
- Guide Senior Planners in analyzing sales, margin, inventory, receipts, and turn performance and identifying risks and opportunities.
- Review department and category forecasts and recommend actions to achieve financial objectives.
- Drive consistent planning, forecasting, hindsight, and reporting processes across the Planning and Allocation functions.
- Establish and monitor key inventory and performance metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations for leadership.
- Partner with Buying and Merchandising to ensure inventory strategies support assortment, promotional, and category objectives.
- Collaborate with Distribution and Logistics to optimize inventory flow and product availability.
- Oversee allocation strategies for new store openings, seasonal transitions, promotions, and other key business initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning and allocation systems, tools, reporting, and processes.
- Develop talent across the Planning and Allocation teams while building a collaborative, accountable, and results-driven culture.
- Serve as a TPS brand ambassador.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
