Senior Merchandise Planner

PetCo • San Diego, CA

4d

About The Position

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people! If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets, people and our planet. We love all pets like our own We're the future of the pet industry We're here to improve lives We drive outstanding results together We're welcome as we are Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We're focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what's good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco. The Senior Merchandise Planner is a strategic partner to the buying and merchandising teams, responsible for driving financial performance through effective planning, forecasting, and inventory management. This role requires a deep understanding of niche customer segments, seasonal trends, and product lifecycle management to ensure optimal assortment and profitability across channels.

Requirements

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate data into actionable business strategies
• Analytical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Excel and planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
• Communication: Strong presentation and collaboration skills across departments
• Retail Acumen: Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
• Leadership: Experience mentoring and influencing cross-functional teams
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
• 5-7 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty or omnichannel retail
• Proven track record of driving financial results and leading planning initiatives

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Forecasting Develop and manage financial plans by department, class, and channel to achieve sales, margin, and inventory goals Lead pre-season and in-season planning, including open-to-buy (OTB), assortment strategy, and promotional cadence Analyze historical data, market trends, and customer insights to inform future strategies
• Inventory Optimization Oversee inventory flow and ensure alignment with sales forecasts and promotional plans Identify risks and opportunities in stock levels, recommending actions such as reorders, markdowns, or transfers Partner with allocation and supply chain teams to ensure timely and accurate product distribution
• Financial Analysis & Reporting Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI Deliver weekly/monthly business reviews with actionable insights and recommendations Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability and customer engagement
• Cross-Functional Leadership Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, store operations, and e-commerce teams to align on business objectives Mentor junior planners and contribute to team development and process improvement Act as a thought leader in planning meetings, driving innovation and best practices

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees