Planner

Ulta Beauty, Inc. • Bolingbrook, IL

5d

About The Position

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,300 stores throughout the U.S. and an innovative omni-channel ecosystem, Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. Ulta Beauty is expanding its digital capabilities, opening new stores on a continual basis and re-designing existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to re-imagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.
THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:
The Planner of Central Planning (Margin & Merchandising Tools) plays a critical role within the Central Planning team, reporting directly to the Director of Central Planning. This role is responsible for the construction and evaluation of company margin as well as all in-house developed merchandise planning tools. They will be responsible for understanding all drivers of margin and how they translate into merchandise forecasts. They will understand how mix and rate as well as key initiatives impact margin. They will ensure accountability against targets and support the strategies to drive margin enhancements.
Additionally, this role will play a critical part in the creation and process related to home grown tools. They will own the development, maintenance and rollout of MS Office based tools. They will ensure process is established with the MP&I team to properly leverage the tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in inventory management, merchandising planning, supply chain, or related operational roles.
• Experience developing and managing tools and roll-up across a range of end users.
• Financial and analytical aptitude and a deep understanding of financial metrics (sales, margin, turn, receipt planning)
• Provides accurate, actionable and forward-looking insights to improve business and sales performance; creates competitive and breakthrough strategies
• Navigates crucial conversations with internal and external partners with minimal supervision
• Capable of driving favorable outcomes through strong influence and confidence in negotiations
• Effectively communicates and collaborates with internal and external partners
• Achieves high levels of autonomy and self-reliance, working effectively and efficiently without supervision
• Ability to make well-informed decisions through the evaluation of large quantities of data, discovery of trends and development of actionable insights
• Ability to comprehend complex issues and approach situations in a logical and structured manner
• Delivers constructive feedback, guidance, and resources with excellent coaching skills and team development abilities
• Solid understanding of inventory activities and best practices
• Proficiency with MS Office products; familiarity with Business Intelligence tools is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with inventory and planning systems (e.g., Manhattan DFIO, SAP APO, Blue Yonder, o9, Kinaxis, Anaplan) preferred.
• Experience contributing to process improvements or operational initiatives is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, process development and execution of Merchandise Planning tools
• Reconcile merchandise plans demonstrating how initiatives and various margin elements are built into forecast and report on how initiatives are impacting the business and rates once actualized.
• Develop waterfall walks demonstrate impacts of strategies and initiatives.
• Work with Merchant and MP&I partners to build out tools to support margin, SKU rationalization, Price changes, etc.
• Advise key partners on ways to enhance both sales and margin as well as return on inventory investments.
• Monitor and analyze inventory performance, identifying variances, risks, and opportunities, and lead corrective or preventive actions as needed.
• Partner with Go to Market (GTM) team to ensure understanding and alignment of objectives related to events and ensure margin erosion related to promotions is correctly built into the forecasts.
• Drive consistency and operational excellence in MP&I processes related to initiatives.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Foster a team culture that is results-oriented and exemplifies a team mentality that aligns to Ulta Beauty’s Values, Mission and Vision.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, system optimizations, and automation opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and productivity.

Benefits

• Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
• Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level