Dollar Tree

Director Assortment Planning

Dollar Tree • $185K — $203K *
Chesapeake, VA 23322In-Person
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of experience in retail planning or advanced analytics
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, or related field; Master's preferred
  • Expertise in assortment and merchandise financial planning
  • Strong analytical and financial skills
  • Experience building and leading high-performing teams
  • Ability to influence senior leaders in a matrixed organization
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Balance strategic thinking with execution excellence.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute customer-centric assortment strategies
  • Drive innovation and improve decision-making processes
  • Lead initiatives from concept to execution for measurable impact
  • Utilize insights to inform merchandising strategies
  • Optimize business processes for streamlined operations
  • Ensure high-quality assortment plans support merchant initiatives
  • Advance team capabilities through analytical thought leadership

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Dynamic work environment with a focus on leadership
  • Potential for career advancement within the organization
  • Collaboration across multiple functions
  • Supportive culture of continuous learning and innovation
Full Job Description
As the Director, Assortment Planning at Dollar Tree, you will lead the strategy and planning capabilities that shape how we build assortments for our customers and drive profitable growth across the business. You will serve as a strategic partner and advisor to senior leaders across Merchandising, Inventory Management, Finance, and Operations, translating category strategies, customer insights, and financial objectives into actionable assortment plans.

Leading a team of 20+ Assortment Planning professionals, including Managers and individual contributors, you will build talent depth, elevate analytical rigor, and advance the tools, processes, and capabilities that enable better and faster assortment decisions. Your leadership will help optimize sales, margin, inventory productivity, and long-term growth while advancing Dollar Tree's broader merchandising strategy.

Your day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Planning & Business Leadership
  • Provide strategic leadership in the development and execution of assortment strategies that advance category financial objectives, customer value propositions, and Dollar Tree's broader merchandising vision.
  • Drive innovation in assortment planning through thought leadership, best practices, and advanced analytical methodologies that improve decision quality, inventory productivity, and operational effectiveness.
  • Lead high-impact initiatives from concept through implementation, translating innovative ideas into scalable solutions that deliver measurable enterprise value.
  • Leverage customer behavior, internal insights, market intelligence, and external trends to identify opportunities and inform merchandising strategies and business decisions.
  • Simplify and optimize business processes by eliminating unnecessary complexity, streamlining decision pathways, and identifying opportunities for automation and improved ways of working.

Assortment Strategy & Planning
  • Lead the development and execution of customer-centric assortment strategies through Product Line Reviews, weekly decomposition processes, and disciplined financial oversight.
  • Partner with GMMs and Merchandising leaders to shape category strategies and tactics, translating customer insights, merchant vision, and business opportunities into actionable assortment decisions.
  • Provide strategic direction to the Assortment Planning team, ensuring high-quality plans that support merchant initiatives, end-to-end Product Line Reviews, business reviews, and key enterprise priorities.
  • Own the end-to-end assortment planning strategy, balancing customer needs, merchant vision, productivity, and financial objectives.
  • Drive assortments that optimize sales, margin, inventory productivity, and sustainable category growth.

Analytical Leadership & Innovation
  • Build and advance the analytical capabilities of the Assortment Planning organization, establishing a solution-oriented culture grounded in critical thinking, structured problem solving, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Equip the team to diagnose root causes, solve complex business challenges, and confidently leverage a robust ecosystem of data, tools, and planning methodologies.
  • Champion advanced analytics and AI-enabled capabilities, encouraging experimentation, innovation, and new ways of working that improve the speed and quality of assortment decisions.
  • Partner across Merchandising, Inventory Management, Finance, and other functions to translate analytical insights into strategies, decisions, and measurable business outcomes.
  • Advance planning capabilities across assortment planning, item planning, merchandise financial planning, store clustering, and related disciplines.

Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of 20+ Assortment Planning professionals, including Managers and individual contributors.
  • Recruit and develop talent that combines merchant curiosity, analytical thinking, design thinking, and strong business acumen.
  • Create a culture of ownership and accountability by connecting individual work to customer and business outcomes and reinforcing accuracy, discipline, executional excellence, and independent critical thinking.
  • Establish training and development programs that strengthen technical, analytical, leadership, and business capabilities across the team.
  • Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship, helping associates achieve their professional goals while increasing their ownership of business outcomes.
  • Build a strong talent and leadership pipeline through clear career paths, cross-functional exposure, mentoring opportunities, and increasing levels of responsibility.
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning that keeps the organization current on emerging retail trends, planning methodologies, technology, analytics, and industry best practices.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence
  • Serve as a strategic partner and advisor to senior leaders across Merchandising, Inventory Management, Finance, Marketing, Sales, and Operations.
  • Facilitate cross-functional alignment around assortment priorities, inventory strategies, financial objectives, and key business initiatives within a complex matrixed environment.
  • Influence business decisions through strong analytical storytelling, clear recommendations, and an ability to translate complex information into actionable strategies.
  • Build strong partnerships across functions to ensure assortment strategies can be effectively executed throughout the organization.
  • Contribute to broader transformation initiatives and champion the adoption of new tools, processes, technologies, and capabilities.

What We're Looking For:
  • 6+ years of progressive experience in retail planning, assortment planning, merchandise planning, inventory management, advanced analytics, or a related discipline.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Analytics, Finance, Merchandising, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
  • Deep understanding of retail planning principles, merchandising processes, and advanced analytics.
  • Demonstrated expertise in planning methodologies including assortment planning, item planning, merchandise financial planning, and store clustering.
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business strategies.
  • Experience partnering closely with Merchandising and Inventory Management teams to drive measurable business results.
  • Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and building high-performing teams.
  • Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and change leadership capabilities.
  • Ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across multiple functions within a matrixed organization.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage associates and leaders at all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with disciplined execution and operational excellence.


Salary Range: $185,000 - $203,500 base + bonus + equity

Full time

500 Volvo Parkway,Chesapeake,Virginia 23320

Planning

Dollar Tree

About Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is a chain of discount stores that carries a variety of merchandise including housewares, glassware, dinnerware, cleaning supplies, candy, snacks, food, health and beauty, toys, gifts, gift bags and wrap, party supplies, stationery, craft supplies, teaching supplies, books, seasonal décor, and more for $1 or less.

Dollar Tree Careers

Joining Dollar Tree's vibrant team offers more than just a job; it opens the door to a wealth of job opportunities and a promising career path in the retail industry. As a crucial player in cost-effective retailing, Dollar Tree provides a dynamic platform for both seasoned professionals and those at the start of their career journey.

Work You’ll Do

At Dollar Tree, every position is a chance to experience growth through innovation and leadership. Our team members are encouraged to lead projects and initiatives that redefine the norm and foster significant advancements in the retail sector. With a culture rooted in collaboration and diversity, we offer a workplace where ideas flourish and inclusivity is the norm.

Explore Professional Development

Dollar Tree is committed to the professional growth of its employees through robust training programs and leadership development opportunities. Our focus on internal promotion and career advancement ensures that every team member has the tools they need to succeed and climb the career ladder within the company.

Innovate and Lead

Join a team where innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Dollar Tree is a leader in developing cost-effective solutions that don’t just follow market trends but set them. Here, your skills in networking, creativity, and strategic thinking will be honed to perfection.

Be Part of a Diverse and Inclusive Team

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords at Dollar Tree; they are integral to our company culture. We believe in empowering our employees by respecting and valuing what makes them unique. This commitment is reflected in our diversity training programs, which are designed to foster an inclusive environment that promotes career longevity and satisfaction.

Internship Opportunities

For those new to the workforce, Dollar Tree’s internship programs offer a gateway to full-time employment and a firsthand look at the retail industry's fast-paced nature. Interns at Dollar Tree gain invaluable experience, working alongside seasoned professionals and participating in projects that impact our business on a global scale.

Benefits That Support Your Life and Growth

Choosing a career at Dollar Tree means access to competitive benefits designed to support you both professionally and personally. From health and wellness plans to educational assistance, we ensure our team members receive the support they need to achieve their best at work and beyond.

Join Our Team

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the available positions at Dollar Tree where your skills and passion can lead to exceptional opportunities. Whether you’re applying for your first job or seeking a leadership role, your journey towards a fulfilling career starts here.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Dollar Tree by following our careers blog. Gain insights from our team, learn about our innovative practices, and stay informed about upcoming job opportunities and company news.

Apply Now

Ready to make a difference? Submit your resume, complete your profile, and prepare for an interview where you can showcase your unique abilities and learn more about the exciting career paths at Dollar Tree.

SEARCH DOLLAR TREE JOBS

Join us at Dollar Tree, where opportunities to thrive are endless, and every employee plays a critical role in our success. Let’s grow together in a company that values innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and professional growth.
Learn more about Dollar Tree
Size
61,886 employees
Market Cap
$31 billion
Industry
Food & Beverages
Net Income
$1.3 billion
Founded
1986
5 Year Trend
+4.9%
Revenue
$25.5 billion
NASDAQ
DLTR
* Ladders Estimates

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