Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning

PetSmart•Phoenix, AZ

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning develops overall merchandise financial strategies for an assigned division and leads a team of five direct reports. The role leads annual and seasonal financial planning for sales, margin, inventory, and turn in support of merchandise strategy and financial objectives. It provides strategic direction for rolling merchandise forecasts and partners with buying, sourcing, allocation, pricing, vendors, and other teams to support assortment, promotional, inventory, and financial plans. The position is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office and follows a hybrid arrangement requiring at least four days in the office each week, with up to one remote flex day in a standard week subject to leader approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a business focus.
Seven or more years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

JDA Enterprise Planning or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Lead development of accurate annual and seasonal financial plans for sales, margin, inventory, and turn.
Provide strategic direction to Merchandise Planners for all components of the rolling merchandise forecast, including sales, margin, receipts, inventory, and turn.
Collaborate with Buying/Sourcing and Allocation teams to influence assortment and promotional initiatives and projects.
Partner with vendors on short- and long-term planning, aligning sales, COGS, receipt, and marketing plans with division and corporate plans.
Identify risks and opportunities, communicate them to the business in a timely manner, and recommend strategies to achieve financial goals and protect inventory investments.
Conduct customer analysis to identify traffic and basket trends.
Lead life cycle management, from new SKU projections and initial orders with Allocation through markdown recommendations with Pricing to reduce write-off risk.
Conduct monthly promotion analysis and ensure promotions fit within the markdown dollar plan.
Roll up and review financials for monthly planner locations, ensuring drive aisle assortment drives sales and margin.
Conduct ad-hoc analysis using departmental databases, CRM, JDA, and consumer insights to support the enterprise.
Integrate processes and systems to optimize plan accuracy, efficiency, inventory productivity, and space utilization.
Oversee team development, including recruiting, training, and succession planning.

Benefits

Pet-friendly workplace with an on-site dog park.
On-site events and adoption opportunities, including seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, and holiday festivals.
On-site gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces.
On-site café serving breakfast and lunch, snacks, and more.
On-site childcare facility providing high-quality early education.
Paid volunteer opportunities.
Print Center and Business Services.
Dry cleaning services.
Mother’s rooms.
Sustainable infrastructure.