Retail Merchandise Planning and Allocation (MP&A) Senior Consultant

Clarkston Consulting • Philadelphia, PA

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

Clarkston Consulting is seeking motivated, self-driven leaders who are energized by team results and interested in joining a firm that values its culture and people as its biggest strengths. Come join us as a Retail Merchandise Planning and Allocation (MP&A) Senior Consultant, and in this role, you will deliver creative business solutions to our market-leading clients in the life sciences, consumer products, and retail industries. Together, we can find the answers to our clients' most challenging business problems through a combination of our industry expertise, business process knowledge, and consulting excellence.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of end-to-end retail merchandising processes and how they connect across the value chain, including: Product Development (PLM, PIM, and item data processes), Costing and Procurement, Assortment Planning, Merchandise Financial Planning, Allocation and Replenishment, Demand Planning and Forecasting, Pricing and Promotion, Size and Pack Optimization
• 5+ years of experience working across both business and IT teams within a retail organization or consulting environment
• Experience supporting or participating in software implementations, from design through go-live
• Ability to facilitate discussions and ask insightful questions to clarify business requirements
• Experience with process design, process mapping, and documentation
• Experience with testing activities, including test planning, execution, and defect management
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at multiple levels
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt in a dynamic project environment
• Ability to influence and align stakeholders, with or without direct authority
• Experience with merchandising, planning, or allocation systems such as Anaplan, Blue Yonder, o9, Toolio, or ToolsGroup
• Familiarity with how AI/ML is applied in retail merchandising, planning, forecasting, or pricing
• Team Lead experience
• Flexibility and adaptability - our consultants work on everything from design to hands-on configuration and can stretch into new roles
• Thorough client services orientation and accustomed to taking an active role in executing engagements and project plans/tasks
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to present and write at publication quality level to communicate findings and recommendations
• 4-year degree from an accredited college or university

Nice To Haves

• Travel is an integral part of this role and is estimated to average 30-50%. This may vary based upon client and project needs. When not traveling, consultants work from their home office. Relocation is not required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business and IT stakeholders to define and implement merchandising, planning, and allocation solutions
• Facilitate requirements gathering and design sessions, translating business needs into clear, actionable requirements
• Support end-to-end process design across merchandising functions, including planning, allocation, and forecasting
• Contribute to system implementation efforts from design through testing and go-live
• Develop process documentation, including process maps and standard operating procedures
• Support testing efforts, including scenario development, test case creation, defect tracking, and resolution
• Provide insights on system capabilities and leading practices across merchandising and planning platforms
• Help drive alignment across stakeholders and support change management activities

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and more)
• 401k with company contributions
• Paid vacation, personal days, holidays, and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave and Family Building Benefits (Adoption, Surrogacy, and Infertility Support)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Training and Professional Development investments, Tuition Assistance, and more

What This Job Offers

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