Senior Merchandise Planner

The Tie Bar • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Digital Stronghold is seeking a Merchandise Planner to support inventory strategy, forecasting, and merchandise planning initiatives for The Tie Bar, a premium menswear and accessories brand founded in Chicago over a decade ago. This role will play a key part in balancing inventory across channels, supporting financial goals, and ensuring the right product is available at the right time. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and collaborative, with experience in merchandise planning within apparel, retail, or eCommerce environments. You’ll work cross-functionally with buying, marketing, supply chain, eCommerce, and sales teams to help drive inventory optimization, assortment planning, and business performance across a fast-moving retail environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field
• 3–5 years of merchandise planning experience, preferably within apparel, retail, or eCommerce environments
• Strong experience with inventory management, forecasting, and sales analysis
• Must be eligible to work in the US
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience using merchandise planning systems such as NetSuite
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with buying, marketing, supply chain, sales, and eCommerce teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting global markets and understanding regional consumer demand trends is a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual merchandise plans aligned with business objectives and sales targets
• Build and maintain demand forecasts based on historical sales data, seasonal trends, and market insights
• Support inventory planning and forecasting strategies to maximize product availability while minimizing excess inventory
• Manage open-to-buy budgets and provide reporting on performance, projections, and opportunities
• Monitor sales performance and inventory levels across channels, adjusting plans to meet changes in demand
• Analyze sell-through performance and inventory trends to identify opportunities for optimization
• Support allocation strategies to ensure timely and effective product distribution across markets
• Partner with supply chain teams to help manage product flow and delivery timelines
• Collaborate with buying teams to support assortment planning and sales forecasting initiatives
• Assist in monitoring sales, margin, and inventory performance against financial targets
• Provide analytical insights and recommendations related to assortment planning, inventory allocation, and sales performance
• Support planning adjustments tied to promotions, product launches, and evolving market conditions
• Partner closely with Marketing, Buying, Supply Chain, Sales, and eCommerce teams to execute merchandise plans effectively
• Help align planning strategies with promotional calendars and broader business priorities
• Prepare regular reporting and performance updates for stakeholders and leadership teams

Benefits

• collaborative and entrepreneurial environment
• opportunity to make a meaningful impact
• helping shape the future growth of modern menswear and lifestyle brands

What This Job Offers

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