Job Summary
The Techno-Functional Merchandise Consultant is responsible for managing Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP) processes and the supporting systems, with a focus on Open-to-Buy (OTB), financial planning, and the ERP data that feeds planning activities. The role combines functional merchandise planning expertise with technical system configuration, testing, and troubleshooting. The consultant will gather business requirements, ensure accurate integration of planning and ERP data, validate and reconcile large datasets, and collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams to maintain reliable planning processes. The position requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to deliver against planning-cycle deadlines.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage and support Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP) and Open-to-Buy (OTB) processes, including financial plan creation, tracking, and reforecasting.
• Support ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent platforms.
• Gather and document business requirements and translate them into functional and technical system solutions.
• Configure, test, and troubleshoot systems supporting merchandise financial planning.
• Support the integration and alignment of planning data with ERP data, including product, store/location, sales, inventory, purchase orders, and financial information.
• Perform data validation and reconciliation to maintain the accuracy and consistency of planning and ERP data.
• Analyze large datasets to identify discrepancies, investigate issues, and support informed business decisions.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams to resolve system issues and explain system behavior in clear, accessible terms.
• Manage multiple priorities and deliverables while meeting planning-cycle deadlines.
• Provide support during system cutovers, releases, and urgent production issues as required.
• Maintain availability for occasional late-night work and support outside standard business hours when required.
Required Qualifications
• Hands-on experience in Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP) and Open-to-Buy (OTB), including financial plan creation, tracking, and reforecasting.
• Experience supporting at least one ERP system, such as SAP, Oracle, or an equivalent platform.
• Proven techno-functional experience, including gathering business requirements, configuring systems, testing solutions, and troubleshooting issues.
• Working knowledge of the relationship between merchandise planning data and ERP data, including product, store/location, sales, inventory, purchase orders, and financials.
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with large datasets, including data validation and reconciliation.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams.
• Ability to explain system behavior and technical issues in clear, business-friendly language.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under planning-cycle deadlines.
• Availability for occasional late-night work and support outside standard business hours for planning deadlines, system cutovers, releases, and urgent production issues.
Work Schedule and Availability
• Occasional late-night work may be required.
• Candidates must be reachable outside standard business hours when necessary to support planning-cycle deadlines, system cutovers, releases, and urgent production issues.
