Merchandise Planner

The Guitar Center Company

$90K — $115K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Merchandising/Supply Chain or 4 years of relevant experience
  • 4 years of experience in merchandise planning or a similar role
  • 2 years of leadership experience managing team members
  • Deep knowledge of Musical Instrument product categories
  • Proven experience managing Open to Buy processes
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel (V-lookups, formulas, etc.)
  • Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Responsibilities

  • Review item level forecasts and order proposals to drive sales and GMROI
  • Control purchase orders to maximize sales and adhere to budget
  • Collaborate with merchants for key market share events and accurate sales forecasts
  • Provide consolidated forecasts for in-season planning and Open to Buy
  • Develop an Omni-channel strategy for driving sales, margin, and inventory turn
  • Maintain planning systems for better forecast accuracy and receipt flow
  • Lead and develop an inventory analyst for career progression
  • Assist in building assortment parameters that cater to customer needs

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
  • Collaborative work culture with cross-functional teams
  • Access to resources in a complex retail environment
  • Involvement in the strategic direction of financial and inventory planning
  • Hands-on leadership experience in managing and mentoring talent
Full Job Description
The Merchandise Planner leads the financial and inventory strategy for a category or set of subcategories, in collaboration with the category managers, across all channels and brands. The Planner ensures that item level forecasts and supply strategies drive sales, margin and turn to meet financial goals. The Planner manages an inventory analyst and builds entry level talent to become future leaders. They will be a student of their business looking to maximize opportunities, manage product life cycle in conjunction with merchants to avoid aging and liable product. They will ensure best in class in-stocks online and in store and will perform regular SKU rationalization. They will monitor order flow to stay on time and on budget. They will be critical to the Open to Buy process.

Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following:
  • Reviews item level forecasts and order proposals to drive sales and GMROI
  • Control purchase order activity to maximize sales and stay on budget
  • Collaborate with merchants to drive key market share events and promotions across channels with accurate sales and supply forecasts.
  • Provides roll up of forecasts and purchases to contribute to in season planning process and the open to buy.
  • Creates Omni channel strategy to drive sales, margin and turn for a complex retailer with stores, multiple websites and call centers for subcategories and key items.
  • Maintains the planning system with accurate parameters to improve forecast accuracy, receipt flow and performance of algorithms.
  • Manages and develops Inventory Analyst to resolve purchase order dates, shortages, overages and problem shipment resolution and e-commerce backorders. Prepares them for future career at GC.
  • Supports Director of planning in building assortment parameters for a subcategory to balance customer needs by segment, price point and ensuring powerful presentations.
  • Additional duties as assigned.


Tojoin our band, you'll need the following experience:
  • Bachelor's Degree preferably in Business, Merchandising/ Supply Chain OR 4 years of relevant work experience.
  • 4 years of relevant work experience
  • 2 years of experience leading others.
  • Advanced knowledge of products found in the assigned Musical Instrument category.
  • Experience owning Open to Buy.
  • Skilled proficiency with Microsoft Excel (V-lookups, formulas, filtering, sorting, formatting)
  • Skilled knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
  • Novice understanding of marketing and promotions functions


Pay Rate: $90,000- $115,000 / annually depending on background and experience.

The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations

Send your resume and cover letter today along with salary expectations!

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at The Guitar Center Company

More Retail & Consumer Goods Jobs

Find similar Merchandise Planner jobs: