Merchandise Planner

PetSmart•Phoenix, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Merchandise Planner develops accurate annual, seasonal, and weekly financial plans for assigned categories, covering sales, margin, inventory, and turnover. The role supports merchandise strategy and financial objectives through forecasting, analysis, inventory investment management, and recommendations that maximize sales, margin, and productivity. The planner works closely with Buyers, Assortment and Allocation teams, leadership, vendors, and other cross-functional partners to influence assortment, promotional, inventory, and allocation decisions. The position is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office and follows a hybrid arrangement requiring at least four days in the office each week, with up to one remote flex day in a standard week with leader approval.

Requirements

At least 3 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability, including critical and evaluative thinking.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels.
Ability to influence decisions by making a strong case for action using analytical findings.
Ability to collaborate and partner across departments to engage in decision-making.
Self-starter able to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills.
Ability to collaborate and interact face-to-face with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients; the role requires on-site presence in accordance with the company’s FlexSmart policy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a business focus, or an equivalent blend of relevant experience and education.
Experience with JDA Enterprise Planning or an equivalent system.

Responsibilities

Create and revise rolling merchandise forecasts for sales, margin, receipts, inventory, and turnover.
Develop yearly, seasonal, and weekly category financial plans in accordance with company goals, historical performance, and trend analysis; present strategies to senior management.
Analyze and reforecast the business, recommending and implementing strategies to maximize opportunities and minimize risk.
Partner with Buyers and Assortment teams to influence assortment and promotional plans.
Analyze and anticipate selling patterns to influence allocation and replenishment strategies, inventory levels, and inventory productivity.
Provide analysis, insights, trends, and recommendations to maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity, including through presentations.
Follow Merchandise Planning Policies and Procedures and identify and communicate opportunities for improvement to the manager and business partners.
Influence merchandise strategy for assigned categories and support alignment among planning, merchandising, promotional, and assortment strategies.
Achieve sales, margin, inventory turnover, and other designated KPIs to plan.
Support seasonal, annual, and long-range strategic and financial planning across vendor, customer, and merchandising segments.
Lead, execute, and measure performance against business planning and product creation calendars to support timely decision-making.
Manage end-to-end merchandise and financial planning, including inventory investment across life-cycle pricing, in-stock and service levels, and seasonal transitions.
Set targets and achieve plans for good/better/best pricing proportions, inventory, and space productivity in support of sales and gross margin plans.
Maintain promotional product availability while minimizing aging and discontinued inventory.
Develop plans for key, new, and one-time-buy items and partner with Merchandise Buyers and Allocation Teams to adjust in-season inventory levels.
Conduct detailed post-season or post-event analysis, using customer data when appropriate, and present insights and recommendations to leadership.
Create and lead special projects that support growth opportunities.
Work with space and assortment planning colleagues to influence assortment planning using insights, analysis, and strategic direction.
Use consumer insights and data with a structured test-and-learn approach to maximize growth opportunities.
Support the VP and Director in presentations at strategic division meetings, including Direction Setting, Marketing Execution, Line Reviews, Open-To-Buy, Vendor, and QBR meetings.
Integrate processes and systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, inventory productivity, and financial productivity.
Make collaborative and independent day-to-day decisions affecting gross margin dollars.

Benefits

Pet-friendly workplace with an on-site dog park.
On-site events and pet adoptions, including seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, and holiday festivals.
On-site gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces.
On-site café serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
On-site childcare facility providing early education.
Paid volunteer opportunities.
Print Center and Business Services.
Dry cleaning services.
Mother’s rooms.
Sustainable infrastructure.