Merchandising Associate Planner – Editorial
About The Position
As an Associate Planner – Merchandise Planning at Rue Gilt Groupe (RGG), you will play a critical role in shaping the daily discovery experience for our members. You will actively participate in the development and execution of merchandising and planning strategies for designated categories to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profitability. Working closely with the Sr. Planner and cross-functional partners, you will act as a foundational pillar in ensuring our category visions are executed with precision. By leveraging data analysis and a keen knowledge of retail trends, you will support our mission to connect world-class brands to next-generation shoppers while optimizing inventory efficiency and maximizing financial outcomes.
Requirements
- Analytical, detail-oriented professional with a passion for the "science" of retail planning.
- Tenacious problem solver who excels at turning raw numbers into an actionable strategy and thrives in high-energy, fast-paced environments.
- Collaborative team member who values diverse input and communicates with a kind, open-minded approach.
- Natural curiosity drives you to be innovative in your work—always seeking out process improvements and new ideas rather than simply following existing routines.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or another quantitative field preferred.
- 1–2 years of experience in retail, retail buying, or merchandise planning.
- Demonstrated planning and analytical skills with a basic understanding of retail industry trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to flex, prioritize, and drive accurate results amidst competing timelines.
- Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience in an e-commerce ecosystem is highly preferred.
- Experience with Business Intelligence (BI) software or retail math is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Sr. Merchandise Planner and the Merchandising team to develop and execute comprehensive merchandise strategies across multiple departments.
- Contribute strategic insights to inform financial plans for your area of responsibility, and actively participate in in-season Open-to-Buy (OTB) discussions alongside the financial planner.
- Participate in establishing strategic initiatives that build highly curated assortment strategies, driving balanced growth, sales, and inventory efficiency.
- Evaluate and track the financial performance of merchandise categories against established KPIs to ensure alignment with larger business objectives.
- Provide data-backed insights and recommendations to the Merchandise Planning and Buying teams, transforming metrics into effective decision-making tools.
- Analyze category performance consistently to identify risk, unlock margin improvement, and discover whitespace product opportunities.
- Organize and prioritize your independent workload efficiently to ensure data accuracy and timely cross-functional execution.
- Cultivate innovation through a natural curiosity, constantly seeking new ideas to push past traditional retail metrics and elevate the customer experience.
- Identify and participate in process improvement opportunities within the merchandise planning department to streamline team throughput.
- Cultivate highly collaborative relationships with Merchandising, Programming, and other key departments to ensure total strategy alignment.
- Invest in your self-development within the planning ecosystem.
Benefits
- Robust health, dental, and vision insurance effective on the date of hire.
- Generous Flex Time Off (FTO).
- Flexible remote/hybrid work options.
- Paid volunteer opportunities.
- Associate discount.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
