Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning: The position serves as the key strategic partner to Merchandising in development of plans to achieve agreed upon targets as well as implementation of comprehensive annual, preseason, and assortment plans that align with the category vision and financial strategies.
Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management: Build repeatable, scalable planning processes and OTB discipline. Identify and communicate risks and opportunities while overseeing in-season monitoring, promotional planning, and reforecasting inventory/receipt flows.
Financial Alignment: Align bottom-up category and brand forecasts with top-down financial plans, identifying gaps, risks and opportunities.
Assortment Optimization: Lead assortment productivity analysis to identify opportunities across sku performance, breath/depth, category productivity and line review decisions; develop analytical tools and reporting to support recommendations.
Performance Reviews: Provide hindsight analysis on category, brand, promotional and event performance; translating findings into forward-looking recommendations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Supports and leads cross functional teams in managing opportunities and risks in business meetings/milestones.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
Experience: 6+ years of experience (preferably in merchandising, planning,or financial management).
Analytical Capability: Strong problem solving and strategic thinking, quantitative planning, and analytical skills with understanding of forecasting methodology and strong aptitude with numbers/retail math.
Results Driven: Proven track record of managing a business to achieve financial targets.
Leadership and Development: Ability to to effectively manage and develop a results oriented team. Leading by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback and empowering the team.
Communication & Influence: Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence cross-functional stakeholders. Ability to concisely present complex information and recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences
Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in merchandise, procurement, assortment, and space planning software/systems preferred. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and data management tools, alongside an ability to leverage modern analytical tools to drive efficiencies.
Execution & Organization: Strong organizational skills, with a demonstrated capacity to handle multiple competing priorities and deliver clean, accurate results in a fast-paced environment.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
