Planning Analyst, Merchandise

Toronto Blue Jays • Toronto, ON

3d • CA$62,000 - CA$70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Buying & Planning, the Planning Analyst, Merchandise will focus on financial planning and inventory strategies that help support departmental sales growth. Be a part of Canada's only Major League Baseball club, and have a direct impact on in-stock goals for both pre-season and in-season timeframes.

Requirements

• 3-to-5 years working experience in retail planning and/or buying, including 2+ years office experience
• Completed post-secondary education in retail, or business-related discipline
• Polished analytical skills and solution based focus
• Experienced with data, including advanced skills using Microsoft Excel
• Working knowledge of Retail Data Systems
• Team oriented and willingness to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
• Effective prioritization skills and ability to multi-task and deliver results in fast-paced work environment
• Confident communication skills including interpersonal, written, and verbal
• Demonstrated initiative with openness for feedback
• Proficient computer skills using a variety of MS Office software
• Availability to work all 81 home games including evenings, weekends and holidays, as required
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• Applicants must be available to work 40 hours per week, including a rotating schedule of baseball games, non-traditional hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, as required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sr. Manager, Merchant(s) and Vendors to create pre-season Brand Budget Plans and manage in-season adjustments
• Own Open-to-Buy forecast of sales and inventory needs within budgeted goals
• Provide monthly/seasonal forecast to vendors on “never-out-of-stock” programs to protect target fill rate
• Analyze & provide recommendations to communicate upside or risk to Merch and Finance partners
• Partner with Finance and Sr. Manager to prepare monthly merchandising post-mortem
• Together with Merchant(s), own and manage purchases within approved budget
• Assess and communicate if departments are under / over inventory target, discuss findings and provide recommendations to the team to chase or cancel
• In collaboration with Coordinator, Merchandise, manage in-bound receipt for homestands, in-store promotional events and all Toronto Blue Jays & Rogers Centre events to ensure product is allocated ahead of the event
• Accurate data entry and maintenance of products into the retail inventory management system
• Establish Par Levels (Min/Max) for each unique product at multiple locations throughout the stadium
• Leverage business tools to analyze/create weekly allocation strategies that support sales and optimize inventory productivity. Ensure the product is at the right Jays Shop locations, at the right time, with the right quantity to drive profitable sales
• Regularly analyze inventory to ensure all SKUs are in-stock and achieving plan; Provide recommended exit strategy for slow sellers/aging inventory
• Proactively manage inventory for “never-out-of-stock” programs to provide annual, quarterly, monthly forecasting recommendations to Merchant(s) and Vendor partner
• Lead stock movement to balance inventory by location (i.e. warehouse-to-store and store-to-store stock balancing)
• Own inventory planning and validate inventory needs for all new product launches or events, to support merchandising and/or promotional strategies
• Frequently participate in store visits with Merchant(s) and Retail to evaluate inventory levels, share findings and implement best practices
• Communicate to Merchant(s) and Retail of any movement in inventory that may impact day-to-day
• Provide reporting and communicate seasonal, monthly, homestand, and daily sales and inventory results, with documented analysis and recommendations
• Responsible for running push replenishment to stores and kiosks & flagging opportunities to buying team
• Consistent communication with vendors regarding sales performance, in stocks, and outstanding issues

Benefits

• discretionary bonus opportunities
• vacation entitlements
• a comprehensive benefits package
• front‑office perks that reflect the excitement and community of working in baseball
• Ongoing, hands-on training to help you develop your skills
• Excellent employee discount to use towards Blue Jays gear

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree