Sr. Merchandise Planner

ThirdLove•San Francisco, CA

6h•$90 - $120

About The Position

The Senior Merchandise Planner drives demand forecasting and aligns tops-down/bottoms-up inventory plans for assigned ThirdLove product categories. They identify risks and opportunities, manage data and size curve integrity, and oversee SKUs and purchase orders. This role determines optimal investment levels across styles, sizes, and channels to hit sales and margin targets in an omnichannel environment. Responsibilities include aligning cross-functional plans and product-level forecasting/receipt plans. This role requires strong cross-functional partnership, high proficiency in data analysis, and the ability to clearly and succinctly present detailed sales and inventory insights. Key to success is using strategy, insights, and intuition to speak to data and influence diverse audiences. The ideal candidate has strong analysis skills, experience with forecasting systems and OTB processes, and channel experience in a growing and dynamic retail landscape. The Senior Merchandise Planner must be an excellent, proactive communicator, enthusiastic to learn, and detail/accuracy-oriented. They must ask questions, share knowledge, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment.

Requirements

Minimum 5-7 years merchandise planning or demand planning for an apparel or consumer product company; preferably in intimates or numeric-sizing category.
Experienced in demand forecasting and OTB planning in an omnichannel environment (ecommerce, retail and wholesale channels)
Strong working knowledge of demand planning tools including enterprise (SAP, Oracle) or online
Highly-collaborative cross-functional partner, working with merchandising, production, FP&A, and operations/logistics
Ability to analyze large data sets from various sources and make recommendations that drive the business forward. Wizard at analysis and identifying business patterns.
Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly to different levels of management to drive action
Strong organizational and written and oral communication skills
Expert in Intermediate & Advanced Microsoft Excel
High level proficiency in GSuite applications (Google Sheets, Docs, Slides) preferred
Proficiency in Netsuite ERP preferred
Sense of urgency and ability to prioritize workload. Can manage through ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing new planning/forecasting tools or systems a plus

Responsibilities

Category & Product Planning: Own monthly sales/inventory forecasts for assigned categories using statistical models and market insights. Incorporate bottoms-up trends (sales analysis, competitive data). Communicate forecast deviations (beats/misses) and execute data-driven action plans to leverage opportunities or mitigate risks (e.g., accelerating/canceling receipts, markdowns). Align demand with inventory targets.
Size Planning & Optimization: Analyze size-level selling across channels to optimize allocation and reduce stock issues. Rigorously update size curves for continuing styles based on real-time selling; use historical data for new styles. Model and integrate channel-specific size differences (retail vs. ecommerce) into planning/allocation.
Inventory Investments & Management: Formulate strategic buy recommendations (initial & reorders) to meet sales forecasts across all channels. Maximize inventory productivity by optimizing turns and meeting KPIs (WOS, Sell-Through, investment targets). Manage the entire inventory lifecycle for maximum profitability.
Business Insights & Performance Management: Continuously analyze selling by style, color, and size to understand omnichannel demand. Translate findings into clear, executable action plans (e.g., marketing, allocation shifts, promos) to drive performance. Refine forecasting methodology based on insights to improve accuracy.
Channel Expansion & Omnichannel Strategy: Partner with the Associate Director, Inventory Planning, to establish annual/seasonal sales and inventory targets for all existing and expanding channels: Ecommerce (DTC), Retail (brick-and-mortar), Wholesale (external partners), and Amazon.
Tools & AI: Develop, optimize, and implement best-in-class processes and tools for omnichannel sales analysis, receipt planning, and dynamic inventory allocation to ensure a seamless and profitable customer experience.