Position Summary:

Reporting to VP Merchandising Planning & Replenishment, the senior merchandise planner is responsible for the financial management of their assigned area of responsibility.  This includes but is not limited to the creation of locational financial & merchandise plans, actualization of results, and a keen ability to identify, communicate, and implement strategic business opportunities.  The planner will be responsible for forecasting sales, margin, and inventory levels on a regular basis as well as identifying opportunities/risks and developing action plans in partnership with merchant.  They are also the key driver of replenishment management and forecasts with vendor partners. This successful candidate will also take on some global planning responsibilities working cross-functionally within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Drives the development of sound department/class-level financial sales, margin, inventory, and assortment plans by location in partnership with merchant.
• Builds and manages all key items as well as replenishment by location.  Determines minimum adjustments and executes in partnership with merchant and replenishment team.
• Identifies in-season opportunities and advises on strategies to drive sales and profitability to meet or exceed plan.
• Develops forecasts by product category and collaborates with vendors to ensure appropriate level of product availability. Adjusts projections and communicates in season as necessary.
• Analyzes space by location and builds detailed inventory and receipt plans to drive sales & profitability.
• Partners with merchant on new store assortments and financial/unit plans.
• Collaborates with VP Planning on key merchandising systems, process and reporting initiatives.
• Lead on Co-Op / Rebate Analysis as well as Planning System.
• Shadows VP Planning on global planning lifecycle and leads some financial deliverables cross-functionally.
• Produces departmental reporting as well as leadership role in divisional reports.
• Participates in strategic process improvement initiatives as it relates to merchandising/planning efficiencies.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• Minimum 3 years of retail planning experience preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Proven track record of financially astute business management

• Expertise in retail math

• Ability to identify and clearly communicate business opportunities and risks.

• Strong analytical skills

• Must be able to work in a team environment & work independently.

• Excellent follow-through and attention to detail

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

• Be assertive & eager to grow in an extremely fast-paced organization.

• Strong organization and workload prioritization skills

• Strong Excel skills

• Must be comfortable communicating with all levels of the organization.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time as the job is completed primarily at a desk each day. Variable desk heights are offered so alternatively sitting and/or standing at the desk is optional. 

• Flexibility to work extended and varying hours as needed.

Travel:

• No travel requirements

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.