Manager, Merchandise Planning

Saks Fifth Avenue

9d • $128,000 - $163,000

About The Position

The Manager, Merchandise Planning is the strategic leader for their category, owning the full omni-channel P&L and inventory efficiency. They are responsible for driving Pre-Season and In-Season financial plans and forecasts for multiple divisions/groups of the BG business at the vendor/category/classification level. The MMP is responsible for developing and presenting thoughtful financial plans and forecasts that align to the merchandise strategy to maximize sales, profit, and inventory.

The MMP will be a key stakeholder and closely partners with the DMMs, Buyers, vendors and cross-functional teammates while leveraging analytics and formulating strategies to drive business across both store and online channels.

This position reports to the Director of Merchandise Planning and has one direct report. The MMP is responsible for the development and training of the Merchandise Planner on their team.

Requirements

• Strong leadership, management, communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• A sharp analytical and strategic mindset, paired with the drive to be a thoughtful decision-maker and business leader.
• Must possess a comprehensive understanding of retail math, cost accounting, and advanced Excel skills.
• Flexibility and strategic agility to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Exceptional people development and team-building skills.
• Proven process management capabilities.
• 5–7 years of planning or merchandising experience.
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university

Nice To Haves

• 1-2 years of supervisory experience is preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate pre-season plans and manage in-season forecasts that support divisional strategies.
• Drive and lead the divisional partnership for the monthly OTB process, present to the senior leadership team, and synthesize data-driven recommendations for stakeholders.
• Deliver accurate, aligned forecasts for key profit-driving metrics, including sales, markdown strategies, receipt management, and inventory balance.
• Manage and reconcile top-down and bottom-up financial plans and projections.
• Ensure vendor and category plans appropriately capture opportunities and liabilities by channel.
• Oversee the strategic growth of category inventory by maximizing turnover and actively reducing markdown liabilities.
• Manage inventory ownership and mitigate risk through financial modeling.
• Build the full suite of seasonal and fiscal purchase plans for the business, including a comprehensive checkbook encompassing brand details by channel, delivery budgets, and class/category SKU breadth and depth targets.
• Partner with merchants to lead brand negotiations regarding sales, purchases, inventory, and profitability.
• Apply an entrepreneurial approach by developing or adapting financial tools to better manage division business.
• Partner with merchants and leadership to develop product performance reporting tools.
• Perform ad-hoc analysis and recommend courses of action to drive sales and profit.
• Collaborate closely and build trust across cross-functional teams to drive desired results.
• Lead and inspire teams and partners, contributing to an environment that strengthens the organization through training and development initiatives.
• Oversee the training and professional development of Merchandise Planners.
• Support the mentorship and professional development of merchant teams through involvement in internal training programs

Benefits

• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• basic life insurance
• supplemental life insurance
• disability insurance
• a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance)
• An amazing employee discount

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager