Merchandise Planner - Camping/Water Sports

Academy Sports + Outdoors•Katy, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking a Merchandise Planner to join their team. This role is responsible for assisting the Buying department in achieving sales, profit, and inventory objectives through efficient planning and analysis. The Merchandise Planner will utilize planning and analysis procedures throughout the financial and assortment planning process, provide insights in Category Management Team meetings, and complete item-level planning and analysis. They will also create and reconcile assortment business plans with financial plans, evaluate actions and timelines, and collaborate with the Replenishment team. The role involves building and maintaining financial plans with Buyers and Planning Managers, managing Open To Buy, observing industry trends, and utilizing planning systems for data analysis. The Merchandise Planner will also attend vendor meetings and develop a thorough understanding of Academy policies and procedures.

Requirements

5+ years of related work experience required
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study or equivalent years of related work experience required
Strong analytical skills, with strong problem-solving abilities and creative resolution skills
Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with individuals at various levels
Maintain the customer’s perspective as a driving force behind business decisions and activities
Ability to effectively prioritize workload in a fast paced, frequently changing environment while remaining detailed and organized
Ability to find and maximize business opportunities for growth and profitability for assigned category
Effective time management skills to support multiple projects and effectively manage a large volume of work
Responds positively to change, embracing and using new practices or values to accomplish goals and solve problems
Ability to make decisions and choose a course of action or develop solutions based on facts, constraints, and probable consequences
Knowledge of retail math required
Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, Oracle, SAS (or equivalent planning software experience preferred)
Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
Regular attendance required
5% domestic travel, overnight stays as needed
Ability to work flexible hours such as evening, weekends, and holidays as necessary

Nice To Haves

Experience in a retail environment preferred

Responsibilities

Assist the Buying department to achieve sales, profit, and inventory related objectives through efficient planning and analysis
Utilize planning and analysis procedures throughout the financial and assortment planning process
Provide class/sub class insights in weekly Category Management Team meetings
Complete item level planning, item attributing, and analysis
Create quarterly/seasonal assortment business plan and reconcile with financial plan
Evaluate proposed actions and timelines to meet all deadlines for internal and external stakeholders
Collaborate with Replenishment team on weekly needs
Build financial plans and collaborate with Buyers and Planning Managers to maintain them
Manage Open To Buy and stay abreast of trends
Observe industry trends to apply best-in-class practices to Academy
Utilize planning system for data analysis and report generation
Attend vendor meetings to provide updated projections, as needed
Develop a thorough understanding of Academy policies, procedures, and safety rules