Petco Animal Supplies

Merchandise Planner

Petco Animal Supplies$63K — $105K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
  • 3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail
  • Analytical thinking with a strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends
  • Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
  • Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
  • Strong communication skills for cross-department collaboration
  • Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
  • Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
  • Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand
  • Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
  • Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels
  • Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
  • Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams

Benefits

  • Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision
  • 401K plan and retirement savings options
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • Employee discounts and incentives
  • Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Full Job Description
This role can be based out of any of the following locations:
  • Southern California (Orange County, & Los Angeles County):Remote / Flexible Hybrid (with periodic visits to our National Support Center in San Diego, CA)
  • Phoenix, AZ (Statewide) & Texas:Remote
  • San Diego, CA:Hybrid / On-site (based out of our National Support Center - NSC)
  • San Antonio, TX:Hybrid / On-site (based out of our Satellite Support Center - SSC)


The Merchandise Planner plays a strategic role in driving sales, optimizing inventory, and enhancing customer satisfaction through data-driven planning and forecasting. This role requires a deep understanding of niche markets, seasonal trends, and customer preferences to ensure the right products are available at the right time and place.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Forecasting
  • Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
  • Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
  • Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand


Inventory & Allocation
  • Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
  • Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels
  • Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies


Financial Analysis
  • Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
  • Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams
  • Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability


Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams
  • Provide planning input for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and store openings
  • Communicate inventory risks and opportunities to leadership


Skills & Qualifications
  • Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends
  • Retail Acumen: Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
  • Communication: Clear and collaborative communication across departments
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
  • Strategic Mindset: Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals


Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
  • 3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail
  • Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools is a plus


Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

$63,800.00 - $105,600.00

/ year

For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

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About Petco Animal Supplies

Petco Animal Supplies is a retail chain that specializes in pet supplies and services. The company was founded in 1965 and has over 1,500 locations across the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Petco offers a wide range of products for pets, including food, toys, and grooming supplies. The company also provides services such as dog training and veterinary care. Petco is privately held and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Petco Animal Supplies
Size
26,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1965

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