Merchandise Planner

DTLR, Inc.

90d•$60,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Merchandise Planner develops, executes, and maintains merchandise plans and forecasts for a specific merchandise category. The Merchandise Planner will develop plans and forecasts for future merchandise buys based on historical sales, receiving buys, and current inventory levels. The role helps ensure planned sales, planned gross margin, and planned markdowns are achieved in each product division. They will be able to identify risks to the business and develop action plans in cooperation with the Senior Merchandise Planner, the Director of Merchandise Planning, and Divisional Merchandise Managers to mitigate inventory issues and maximize profitability.

Requirements

Strong merchandising, product and analytical skills
Demonstrated leadership and decision-making skills
Proficiency in the use of desktop applications and Windows-based programs
Retail math literacy and application of concepts to daily operations
Work requires a solid knowledge of business and an excellent command of the English language to effectively communicate with management, associates and customers.
Proven ability to plan, organize, multi-task, set priorities effectively and efficiently to proactively respond to changing demands, from multiple sources
Results driven with demonstrated critical and creative thinking skills.
Project management, time management, analytical and superior organizational skills required.
Must be able to maintain an exemplary degree of professionalism in all situations.
The ability to execute directives with precision and consistency.
Proven ability to understand product presentation
Must demonstrate an ability to think strategically, plan and organize effectively.
May require the ability to train and develop others.
Excellent customer service skills, in person, on the phone and in writing
Comfortable with team-based work structure and, when needed, the ability to work independently
Demonstrate flexibility on the job
Ability to adapt quickly and react to business needs and change
Detail oriented, excellent time management with strong sense of urgency.
Ability to identify and clearly communicate business opportunities and risks
Proficiency in Planning systems and Microsoft Office
Expertise in retail math with strong analytical skills
Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
Strong team player
4-year degree required
3-5 years in related buying experience or 5-7 years with a mix of buying, planning and placement responsibilities

Responsibilities

Create and maintain merchandise plans by department and class
Manage OTB process for specific merchandise categories
Adjust plans and forecasts as necessary to react to trends and sales
Analyze historical data and current trends on a weekly basis to identify opportunities and risks by vendor, styles, and classifications. Present analysis and action plans to management.
Recap monthly and quarterly performance by class against plan to support DMM’s with action steps
Create and maintain unit plans for specific merchandise categories
Analyze sales and margin to identify opportunities and categories to divest
Propose planned promotions based on profitability and sales goals
Perform regional merchandise performance analysis
Analyze aged inventory and propose liquidation strategies for specific merchandise categories
Daily, monthly, quarterly, and seasonal sales reporting
Create Monday reports and recaps used to analyze business and direct actions for current week
Collaborates on brand assortment planning process
Ad hoc recaps as needed
Other duties as assigned