Merchandise Planner - FMCG or Retail

Sandicrowther•Southgate, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Excellent opportunity exists with national suppliers of stationery and gifting products to major retail chains for an analytical thinker with a Commerce Degree in Finance or Business and at least 5 years experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or financial analysis within a retail environment. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a high-performing, growth-driven business. You’ll play a key role in planning, analysis, and inventory strategy across multiple product categories, ensuring profitability and efficiency across all retail channels.

Requirements

A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, or similar
Minimum 5 years' experience in merchandise planning, inventory, or retail financial analysis
Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with planning software
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills
Excellent communication and presentation abilities
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Syspro knowledge
BI tool experience such as Power BI, Tableau is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and manage detailed sales, margin, and inventory plans by category and season
Monitor performance, identify trends, and conduct deep-dive analyses on product, promotion, and seasonal performance
Deliver regular business reviews to senior leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities
Lead open-to-buy planning to balance stock levels and avoid over-/under-stocking
Oversee allocation, replenishment, and liquidation strategies
Collaborate with buying teams on initial assortments and seasonal strategies
Use data and trends to build accurate sales and inventory forecasts
Create dashboards and reports to track KPIs and business health
Leverage planning tools (Syspro knowledge a plus) to streamline forecasting
Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align on strategy, stock, and promotions
Influence assortment decisions and vendor partnerships with data-backed insights