Senior Director, Planning

Centric Brands•New York, NY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women's, men's and kid's apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company's future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together. Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Planning to join our Beauty Planning team. This pivotal role will oversee the development and execution of strategic merchandise plans, ensuring alignment with the company's financial objectives and brand vision. Additionally, this role will be key to supporting the Walmart business and other key businesses at retail. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of retail operations, and strong analytical skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field
Minimum 10+ years of experience in merchandise planning or retail planning
Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
Experience with Walmart strongly preferred- Retail Link & Luminate systems knowledge a plus
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and SAP
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

Merchandise Planning Drive margin and production planning by season for the Beauty division, identifying opportunities to optimize profitability. Collaborate with Production, Design, and Sales to create seasonal line plans at both divisional and account levels. Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to inform planning decisions. Consolidate post-market buys for comparison to plans and identify potential shortfalls. Lead post-season hindsight processes to identify missed opportunities and future needs. Maintain updated roll of risks and opportunities by business.
Account Planning Partner with the sales team on pre-season and in-season management, including reporting and replenishment. Build relationships with key retailers to align on seasonal plans and ensure key KPIs are met. Support major accounts with POS reporting and ad hoc analysis as needed. Conduct monthly reviews by account with sales to understand item-level nuances.
Demand Planning Oversee demand planning activities to ensure accurate forecasting and alignment with business goals. Manage and mentor the demand planner responsible for executing forecasts, buys, and tracking performance. Review historical sales, market trends, and seasonal factors to guide forecast strategy. Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure demand plans support merchandising, replenishment, and financial objectives. Monitor forecast accuracy and lead adjustments based on performance, sell-through, and retailer feedback. Provide visibility into demand shifts and proactively identify risks and opportunities.
Business & Inventory Strategy Develop and manage financial plans, budgets, and forecasts for the Beauty division. Monitor key financial metrics and collaborate with Sales and Production to optimize sales and margin by account. Track and re-forecast giveback needs, conduct scenario planning by program, and communicate margin implications with Finance. Ensure inbound and outbound inventory is balanced across accounts and aligned with seasonal demand.