Merchandise Planner

Knitwell Group•Fort Myers, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Merchandise Planner develops annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans using current sales and trend information. The role translates the Merchant’s vision into viable plans and profitable results across omnichannel businesses. It partners with Merchants and cross-functional teams to plan sales, markdowns, margins, receipts, and inventory; analyze performance; forecast financial plans; and recommend tactics that respond to business trends. Duties may vary by brand.

Requirements

At least 4 years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, financial planning, or financial analysis.
At least 3 years of retail experience in merchandising, buying, or allocation.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, numerical aptitude, retail math skills, and understanding of forecasting methodology.
Ability to make decisions with limited information and synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.
Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present complex information and recommendations concisely to varied audiences.
System proficiency, with strong emphasis on Excel.
Ability to build collaborative cross-functional partnerships and identify and influence critical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with Merchants to develop pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt, and inventory plans.
Develop projections and inventory flow for key items and collections.
Provide analyses to support business goals, such as hindsight reviews and color-selling analysis.
Forecast monthly and seasonal plans to ensure orders remain within approved financial targets.
Analyze performance against strategy and react to actual sales and current trends.
Prepare for and participate in Merchandise Review meetings, including MBR and seasonal hindsight reviews.
Partner with Merchants to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends.
Recommend actions for key financial meetings and decisions to maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
Develop sales, markdown, receipt, and inventory reforecasts through the monthly plan review process.
Manage and execute promotional and liquidation strategies.
Communicate revisions within the team and across functions.
Partner with cross-functional teams to use seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes.
Look beyond day-to-day business to identify opportunities to maximize sales potential.