Sr Merchandise Planner (WHBM)
About The Position
The Sr Merchandise Planner develops annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans using current sales and trend information. The role translates the Merchant’s vision into viable plans and profitable results across omni channels, and participates in cross-functional initiatives aligned with the brand’s strategic goals. Areas of responsibility are larger-volume or more-complex areas of the business. The position partners with Merchants and cross-functional teams to plan sales, markdowns, margins, and inventory; forecast performance; analyze results and trends; and recommend tactics that support sales, margin, and inventory productivity. It also contributes to merchandise reviews and serves as a resource and leader for planning colleagues and cross-functional partners. The role may supervise and develop merchandise planners and/or associate planners. Duties may vary by brand.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in finance, operations, or business.
- At least 5 years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, or financial planning or analysis.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, aptitude with numbers, retail math skills, and understanding of forecasting methodology.
- Ability to make decisions with limited information and synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate information and recommendations in terms meaningful to varied audiences.
- System proficiency, with a strong emphasis on Excel.
- Ability to build collaborative cross-functional partnerships and identify and influence critical stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Partner with Merchants to develop pre-season sales, markdown, margin, and inventory plans.
- Develop projections and inventory flow for key items and collections.
- Conduct analysis to support business goals, including hindsight and color-selling analysis.
- Forecast monthly and seasonal plans to ensure orders remain within approved financial targets.
- Analyze and respond to strategy performance based on actual sales and current trends.
- Partner with Merchants to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends.
- Make recommendations for key financial meetings and decisions to maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
- Develop sales, markdown, receipt, and inventory reforecasts through the monthly plan review process.
- Manage and execute promotional and liquidation strategies.
- Communicate plan revisions within the team and across functions.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to apply seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attribute.
- Look beyond day-to-day business to identify opportunities to maximize sales potential.
- Prepare for and participate in Merchandise Review meetings, including MBR and seasonal hindsight.
- Act as a resource and leader for the planning team and cross-functional partners.
- May supervise and develop merchandise planners and/or associate planners.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
