Merchandise Planner - Swim (Remote)

Lands' End•Dodgeville, WI

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Merchandise Planner for Swim generates and manages Lands’ End product forecasts and inventory. The role works regularly with merchandising, sourcing, sales teams, and external clients to develop and manage strategic financial plans by category and client, support seasonal merchandise and assortment planning, and identify category risks and opportunities. The planner develops, executes, and communicates merchandise financial plans and strategies that support divisional and category objectives and help maximize sales, margin, and inventory outcomes. Responsibilities include forecasting sales, margin, and inventory; tracking and reporting in-season performance; recommending markdowns; managing risk inventory and fulfillment goals; and communicating results, forecasts, and action plans to directors and cross-functional teams. The role also supports client sales plans and reviews, manages business milestones, and leads continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as economics, finance, or marketing, or equivalent work experience.
At least 5 years of experience in inventory management or a related position.
Solid understanding of common planning and forecasting processes and procedures.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and other PC-based applications.
Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Generate and manage product forecasts and inventory.
Work with merchandising, sourcing, and sales teams to manage strategic financial plans by category and client.
Analyze historical product performance and current business trends to support seasonal merchandise and assortment planning and identify risks and opportunities.
Conduct in-season performance tracking, reporting, and analysis.
Manage processes to meet risk inventory and fulfillment goals.
Develop, execute, and communicate strategic merchandise financial plans and strategies aligned with merchandising, marketing, and financial objectives.
Support company and brand objectives to maximize sales, margin, and inventory results.
Prioritize and manage expectations for key deliverables with cross-functional teams, direct reports, and peers.
Collaborate with internal sales teams and external clients to build and execute seasonal sales plans.
Compile and present sales and inventory ownership reviews to clients as needed; travel may be required.
Deliver financial metrics established in client contracts, including first-time fulfillment and aged inventory levels.
Reconcile top-down and bottom-up plans and appearance plans.
Develop monthly sales, margin, and inventory forecasts and strategies to meet category financial goals (OTB).
Communicate financial results, forecasts, and action plans to the director and cross-functional team weekly, identifying risks and opportunities.
Provide markdown analysis and recommendations throughout the product lifecycle.
Manage key milestones, including business reviews and book close.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives and collaborate with peers to ensure consistency of information, share best practices, and develop tools and systems knowledge.