Planner, Merchandise

SUMMARYThe Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving financial performance relating to Sales, Inventory productivity, Sell Through, and Margin through an established knowledge of merchandise planning techniques and principles. The Merchandise Planner will lead the category management team through strong teamwork among Inventory Management, Merchandising, Space Planning, Promotion Planning, Customer Analytics, and Supply Chain. This position will report to the Planning Manager with responsibility for a complex and cross-functional business unit. Core duties include driving better business actions through ladder planning, advanced weekly/monthly/quarterly business reporting, and ad hoc analysis. Analysis expectations are to drive change across multiple cross-functional teams.The Merchandise Planner is a key contributor to the assortment planning process through historical look backs to influence future strategy, preseason, in-season, and post-season analysis. This position will work closely with buyers and vendors to ensure timely and accurate delivery of products. They also monitor and adjust inventory levels, pricing, and promotions to optimize sales and minimize excess inventory.JOB DUTIESDevelop pre-season and in-season merchandise financial plans to the classification level that support department strategies.Forecast in-season sales and inventories on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis.Analyze historical data and current trends to identify and communicate risks and opportunities by department and class.Present financial plans, forecasts, and strategies in key meetings.Develop Key Item plans and provide analytics required for planning and managing key items in-season.Lead projects and analytics that impact the broader division or company.Provide pricing and promotional recommendations that align with department financial goals.EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEEducation Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or related fieldExperience Minimum: 3+ years of retail experience in merchandise planning, merchandising, space planning, inventory management, or finance. Functional experience with retail business systemsWORKING CONDITIONSThis role requires in-person attendance 4 days a week at the Store Support Center (SSC) located in Hudson, OH. Flexibility to work remotely when requested is determined by management and business needs.Sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods while maintaining focus and productivity.Move around an office space and between buildings on a large campus, including reaching for files, retail product, supplies, or equipment, as well as the ability to adapt to various workstation setups.Work standard business hours and extended hours as needed based on task and project demands.Utilization of all communication styles - written, verbal, electronic options.Lift and carry office supplies, documents, retail product, or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds as needed for tasks such as organizing or setting up workstations.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESDrives financial performanceStrong analytical skills and curiosity to analyze businessExpertise in retail math and OTB planningExcellent communication, prioritizing, and problem-solving skillsAbility to navigate constructive conflictExcellent attention to detailAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft ExcelAbility to learn technical systems quicklyAbility to build and maintain productive relationships with peers and cross-functional teamsFind the challenge of new problems stimulating and respond with actionIdentify what needs to be done and do it before being asked or required by the situationFlexible and adaptive to changing priorities; ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlinesAbility to balance core responsibilities with ad hoc special projectsPreferred: Knowledge of SAP, JDA, Enterprise Planning, or similar Inventory Management software

#J-18808-Ljbffr