Your Role:The Director, Merchandise Planning leads planning strategy and financial performance for multiple merchandise businesses across retail and digital channels. This role partners with Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Store Operations, and Sourcing/Production to develop and execute integrated sales, margin, inventory, and assortment plans that support brand growth and financial results.
As a key business partner, the Director translates brand strategies and merchandising vision into actionable financial and inventory plans, balancing growth opportunities with risk management. This leader provides data-driven insights and recommendations based on market trends, customer behavior, historical performance, and forecasts, while driving stakeholder alignment around a consensus plan.
The Director also leads and develops a high-performing Merchandise Planning team, fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development.
Your Impact:Merchandise Planning & Business Leadership
- Partner with Merchandising leadership to develop category and assortment strategies that support brand growth and financial objectives.
- Translate brand and commercialization strategies into merchandise plans, assortment architectures, and execution strategies.
- Develop, manage, and optimize sales, margin, inventory, and receipt plans across assigned businesses.
- Analyze performance, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend actions to maximize growth and profitability.
- Manage promotional and event calendars to align inventory positioning with business objectives.
- Present strategic recommendations and business analyses in executive and cross-functional forums.
- Serve as a key decision-maker and facilitator to resolve planning assumptions and build cross-functional consensus.
- Identify and communicate risks that may impact financial or operational goals.
- Partner cross-functionally to coordinate and resolve merchandise planning opportunities and challenges.
- Champion planning best practices, process excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate planning processes, systems, and tools to improve efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and open idea exchange.
- Challenge traditional thinking and promote data-driven decision-making, smart risk-taking, and continuous learning.
- Encourage knowledge sharing and adoption of leading methodologies and practices.
Talent Leadership & Team Development
- Recruit, develop, and retain top planning talent while building internal and external pipelines.
- Lead succession planning and develop future leaders.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to strengthen team effectiveness and engagement.
- Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, and accountability standards.
- Support growth through development plans, stretch assignments, mentorship, and training.
- Foster a high-performance culture aligned with organizational values and business objectives.
- Recognize achievements, celebrate successes, and build commitment to shared goals.
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Your Experience:- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Statistics, or a relevant field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, demand forecasting, or related disciplines.
- Experience in vertically integrated retail, beauty, personal care, or consumer products preferred
- Experience supporting store and digital commerce channels preferred
- Experience leading teams and developing high-performing talent.
- Strong understanding of retail planning, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
- Expertise in forecasting methodologies, demand planning, and statistical analysis.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence and build partnerships across functions and levels.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency with planning systems, analytical tools, and decision-support technologies.
