This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.
As the Principal Merchandise Planner - Women's Apparel for North America, you will focus on driving financial results that maximize sales, inventory, and profitability at the style level up to the department total and categories for branded and employee store channels in the U.S. and Canada. This position partners with management to develop, execute and communicate merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the merchandising, marketing, and financial objectives for the branded business.
HOW YOULL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As a Principal-level individual contributor, this role serves as a senior thought-leader within the planning organizationshaping strategy, elevating planning capabilities, and influencing cross-functional partners without direct people management responsibilities.
Collaborate with DTC Buyers to develop and communicate a comprehensive strategy that aligns future financial and product opportunities.
Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by department and class for future seasons.
Recap and analyze actual sales results to plan and forecast in-season business on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
Own Style Forecasting process for assigned categories; collaborate with DTC Merch team to build styles forecasts using Blue Yonder Forecasting tool based on assortment.
Responsible for the open-to-buy process and forecasts, take action to react to recent business and inventory needs.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives to develop processes and systems to support the forecasting, replenishment, and allocation activities necessary to support the business.
Take part in Quarterly Budget Review, and communicate the retail reforecast with other Columbia Business Units.
Work with cross-functional teams on marketing strategies, site ops directives, etc. as they relate to KPI plans.
Present sales and inventory strategies for assigned categories, including weekly in-season performance updates and insights, to cross-functional business partners.
Optional potential for minimal travel.
YOU ARE
Analytical and numbers oriented, have a vision of how merchandise should be presented, and understand consumer trends.
A strategic thinker and influential communicator who leads through expertise, collaboration, and data-driven storytelling.
Able to navigate ambiguity and guide teams toward aligned decisions.
A trusted advisor who sets direction and raises the bar for planning excellence.
Strong in understanding retail math including intricacies of open to buy, inventory turnover and gross margin.
Familiar with merchandise management systems and retail planning/forecasting software.
YOU HAVE
Bachelors degree in Business, Merchandising or related field.
7+ years experience in retail merchandise planning, demand planning, buying or allocation.
Experience in style forecasting methodologies and/or tools.
Experience working in a merchant organization as a planner, buyer, or equivalent position. Experience in a wholesale apparel organization is preferred.
Prior retail planning experience and strong organizational and influencing skills required.
PC proficient skills with advanced knowledge of Excel including writing formulas, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and If Statements.
Project Management experience strongly preferred.
Experience in Blue Yonder Enterprise Planning (or similar OTB software system) and/or Blue Yonder Demand/Fulfillment (or similar statistical demand forecast system) preferred.
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This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the positions scope and function in the company.
