Sr. Director, Merchandise Planning & Analytics, Wholesale

Peter Millar•Research Triangle Park, NC

33d

About The Position

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. Peter Millar was founded in 2001 with a single cashmere sweater offered in 24 colors. Based in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, the American lifestyle brand has grown to include luxury performance sportswear, seasonal resort and country club apparel, sophisticated classics, casually refined tailored clothing and sartorial accessories. We strive to capture timeless style upgraded with signature innovations, in designs that are in tune with modern life. We embrace working hard, being kind and doing right by our customers, aiming to set a higher standard for the apparel industry. The Senior Director of Merchandise Planning and Analytics for Wholesale will be responsible for developing inventory and merchandise plans to meet business objectives for Peter Millar’s growing Wholesale business channel. This role will partner with multiple groups across the organization (Design and Merchandising, Production, Finance, Sales and Customer Service) to establish processes for planning customer channel strategy, with a goal of meeting financial and inventory turnover targets while properly representing the Peter Millar brand image for service and quality. The ideal candidate for this position will be extremely organized and detail oriented.

Requirements

Extremely proficient with Microsoft Excel
Analytical with an ability to balance financial targets with qualitative business goals
Ability to adapt to highly entrepreneurial, fast paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and accountability
Strong interpersonal skills are essential to effectively direct work across all levels of business affecting the forecast process
A proven track record of continuous improvement in business practices
Exceptional communication skills and time management
Ability to solve problems and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field
5-7 years of inventory planning experience – preferably with a consumer brand

Nice To Haves

Apparel knowledge and luxury brand experience is strongly preferred
Knowledge of forecasting software related to demand planning is a plus

Responsibilities

Ensure alignment of merchandise buy plans, budgets, sales forecasts, and other business goals to achieve financial targets
Develop and forecast seasonal sales for all Wholesale channels and present to management for approval prior to placing factory orders.
Establish the open-to-buy plan at the product category, style and SKU level
Maintain a rolling in-season forecast to project end of season sell thru
Provide wholesale channel forecast quantities for monthly seasonal and essential inventory buys.
Participate in the buys to make purchasing decisions based on total company forecast need, timing, and MOQs
Maintain demand plans for all wholesale channels (Golf, Specialty, Corporate, Licensed and International), and partner with the Essentials planner on implication to seasonal changes to the essentials line
Partner with international teams as needed to cover inventory needs
Work with the sales teams regarding inventory callouts, event needs, and assortment concerns to resolve issues or advise strategy
Maintain weekly reviews of current season and future season open to sell units, monitor when inventory is running low and identify reorder opportunities
Oversee the VRLink and RepSpark load process and communication
Proactively communicate to sales team on seasonal sales and inventory strategy, and gain feedback for buys and future season planning
Manage inventory reporting for all wholesale channels. This includes, but is not limited to, providing analysis to the design team to inform future development as well as the executive team to communicate business trends
Establish regular review of KPIs – sales, margin, turnover, sell-thru and inventory – and react to changes in demand and logistics
Propose strategies to drive product sell through in order to maximize profitability on the life of an item or product category
Oversee two team members, providing training, learning and development opportunities
Develop total company forecast in partnership with Merchant to inform pre-season factory capacity planning and fabric projection needs
Partner with Supply Planning, Production, Operations and Sales to manage inbound inventory flow in order to meet demand and embroidery needs while optimizing inventory productivity
Actively listen, engage and respond to business partners and leadership
Perform ad hoc analysis based on historical performance by channel, region, product category, price point, etc