Merchandise Planner
About The Position
World Market is seeking a Merchandise Planner to develop and manage departmental financial plans in support of merchandising strategies. This role involves partnering with merchandising teams to develop item, program, and category strategies, recommending and executing changes to ensure profitability and productivity, and overseeing the professional development of the Merchandise Analyst and/or MP&A Specialist. The Merchandise Planner will be the business owner of total department sales, margin, and inventory results, managing annual financial plans and monthly Open to Buy forecasts. They will also partner with Merchants on assortment strategy, execute buys, develop preseason and in-season financial plans and analysis, validate cost to assort, create inventory plans, and manage order flow quantities. Additionally, the role involves developing profitable entrance and exit strategies, ensuring forecast accuracy, and managing PO generation, maintenance, and vendor communication. The Merchandise Planner will be an integral partner with Merchandising, Visual, Store Operations, Vendors, Distribution Centers, and E-Commerce, fostering productive working relationships and ensuring clear communication. They will also direct the Merchandise Analyst and MP&A Specialist in inventory optimization, allocation, and PO management.
Requirements
- BS or BA degree required.
- Minimum 3-5 years Retail/Catalog/Internet Planning and Distribution experience.
- Previous OTB management experience required.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to deal with ambiguity and complexities.
- Proficient in Microsoft office products including advanced level Excel.
- Excellent ability in organization, communication, and presentation skills to influence others.
Nice To Haves
- Supervising experience a plus
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage departmental financial plans in support of merchandising strategies.
- Partner with merchandising in developing item/program/category strategies to support financial plans.
- Recommend and execute changes as needed to ensure profitability and productivity.
- Responsible for the professional development of the Merchandise Analyst and/or MP&A Specialist.
- Business owner of total Department sales, margin and inventory results.
- Manage the department annual financial plans and the monthly Open to Buy forecast at the department and category level with monthly presentation to senior management.
- Partner with Merchant on assortment strategy for core schematic, seasonal shops, and guidelines, ensuring the assortment will meet margin and sales plans.
- Execute appropriate buys to support.
- Develop preseason and in-season financial plans and analysis (units, sales, and margin) at the SKU, program, collection, or category level.
- Validate cost to assort, create inventory plans and manage order flow quantities to support sales, inventory, margin, DC space, in stock targets and turn plans.
- Develop profitable entrance and exit strategies with merchandising for new, seasonal and core replacement programs including in-season analysis and management.
- Responsible for forecast accuracy.
- Develop and manage PO generation, maintenance, and vendor communication.
- Be an integral partner with Merchandising, Visual, Store Operations, Vendors, Distribution Centers, and E-Commerce.
- Develop and foster productive working relationships with all partners.
- Ensure timely and clear communication with all partners.
- Participate in regular team meetings to discuss upcoming deliverables and resolve any open issues.
- Responsible for Merchandise Analyst and MP&A Specialist development and execution.
- Communicate assortment plan with Merchandise Analyst to achieve appropriate inventory optimization by store level, by developing flow strategies for all product types: core, seasonal, newness.
- Direct Merchandise Analyst to allocate appropriately to support schematic, shops, and guidelines to stay within in stock and turn goals.
- Direct MP&A Specialist in PO generation, maintenance, and vendor communication.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid vacation and paid sick time
- 401(k) plan with Roth option and company match
- Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
- Sample Sales and up to 30% shopping discount
- Work life balance and work from home flexibility
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
