Merchandise Planner

Petco

About The Position

Want to help pets live their best lives? We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people. Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do. Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services. Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success. Petco has been "where the pets go" for more than 60 years, providing everything from favorite meals and toys to trusted supplies and expert support. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood and are here for every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love, which supports thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and has helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events. The Merchandise Planner plays a strategic role in driving sales, optimizing inventory, and enhancing customer satisfaction through data-driven planning and forecasting. This role requires a deep understanding of niche markets, seasonal trends, and customer preferences to ensure the right products are available at the right time and place.

Requirements

Strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends (Analytical Thinking)
Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior (Retail Acumen)
Clear and collaborative communication across departments (Communication)
Advanced Excel skills
Experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals (Strategic Mindset)
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail

Nice To Haves

Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand
Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels
Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies
Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams
Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability
Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams
Provide planning input for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and store openings
Communicate inventory risks and opportunities to leadership