Merchandise Planner

Vera Bradley•Roanoke, IN

8d•$58,100 - $87,100

About The Position

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for the analysis and identification of business risks and opportunities to maximize sales, profitability, and inventory turnover objectives. This includes creating plans and forecasts for sales and gross margin by channel/department/classification as well as forecasting activities for style/colors associated with channels and products. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned) To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Review & analyze Indirect sales account trends based on identifying business risks & opportunities Planning & forecasting SKU level demand for channels owned Specialty, Key Accounts and/or Amazon Initial Seasonal plans Seasonal re-trending of Indirect SKU level plans SKU forecast plans used to track performance, as well as demand signals for D365 to order against First delivery of a cost negotiation forecast roughly 3-4 weeks after Line Lock Second delivery is a “final” forecast 1-2 weeks after Cost Negotiation forecast. Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template, & then loaded into Planning System Planning & maintaining all class-level Merch Plans Creating initial class level financial plans that bridge between our strategic financial plans & product goals Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template then loaded into Planning System Monthly re-trending of Class Level Merch Plans Support Monday Business Review deliverables with updated consumption through current on order Complete ad hoc Sales reports for Harper Group/Sales team, as requested Support Weekly Business Unit reviews with team to review forecasts vs consumption to determine if additional units are needed or forecast should be reduced, working with Inventory Planning for excess inventory requests Adjust Planning System as needed, tracking these changes with Manager to review and pass on to Sales team Execute ad hoc forecast uploads that are off cadence from traditional planning calendar i.e. Cut to Order programs Partner with Sales team to assist with product and style requests/needs that may come through email, tracking a comprehensive list to be reviewed with Manager and Merch Team Create Investment Review slides to summarize investment for leadership stakeholders

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, retail management, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience required
4+ years of experience in planning or forecasting field, or equivalent experience required
Enterprise Planning systems experience a strong plus
Advanced Excel experience strongly preferred
Omni channel experience strongly preferred
Experience in both cost & retail methods of accounting a strong plus
Excellent PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office applications, advanced Excel skills a plus
Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization
Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers handling situations with confidence, tact and resourcefulness.
Maintains a positive demeanor, is collaborative, and is able to influence and persuade.
Ability to work and make decisions independently or with little supervision
Ability to solve complex problems, analyze solutions and take a new perspective on existing solutions
Ability to apply best practices and industry knowledge to improve products or processes
High level of analytical thinking and attention to detail with strong aptitude in retail math and forecasting methodology
Understands the key business drivers and uses this knowledge in own work

Responsibilities

Review & analyze Indirect sales account trends based on identifying business risks & opportunities
Planning & forecasting SKU level demand for channels owned Specialty, Key Accounts and/or Amazon
Initial Seasonal plans
Seasonal re-trending of Indirect SKU level plans
SKU forecast plans used to track performance, as well as demand signals for D365 to order against
First delivery of a cost negotiation forecast roughly 3-4 weeks after Line Lock
Second delivery is a “final” forecast 1-2 weeks after Cost Negotiation forecast. Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template, & then loaded into Planning System
Planning & maintaining all class-level Merch Plans
Creating initial class level financial plans that bridge between our strategic financial plans & product goals
Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template then loaded into Planning System
Monthly re-trending of Class Level Merch Plans
Support Monday Business Review deliverables with updated consumption through current on order
Complete ad hoc Sales reports for Harper Group/Sales team, as requested
Support Weekly Business Unit reviews with team to review forecasts vs consumption to determine if additional units are needed or forecast should be reduced, working with Inventory Planning for excess inventory requests
Adjust Planning System as needed, tracking these changes with Manager to review and pass on to Sales team
Execute ad hoc forecast uploads that are off cadence from traditional planning calendar i.e. Cut to Order programs
Partner with Sales team to assist with product and style requests/needs that may come through email, tracking a comprehensive list to be reviewed with Manager and Merch Team
Create Investment Review slides to summarize investment for leadership stakeholders

Benefits

Health Benefits VRA offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family’s health care needs.
Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan
Dental
Vision
Flexible spending accounts
Survivor Benefits Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.
Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance
Accidental Death and Disability insurance
Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children
Income Protection If you are unable to work due to illness or injury VRA provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.
Short-term disability
Long-term disability
Paid family medical leave
Retirement Plan The VRA 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement
401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement)
Strong line up of professionally managed funds
Safe-harbor plan design
Paid Time Off Enjoy generous time off programs.
Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more
9 paid holidays a year
Paid bereavement leave
Give Back Opportunities VRA offers the opportunity to serve your community.
Voluntary Time Off
Holistic Wellness Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts
Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services
Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement
Product Discount Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products
Ancillary Benefits and Programs Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac