Job Description

Merchandise Planner

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving profitable sales through effective inventory and financial planning across multiple business channels. This position requires strong analytical capabilities, experience in retail and/or ecommerce, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional partners.

The role works closely with merchandising and buying teams to create open-to-buy plans, manage inventory levels, and support strategic decisions through data-driven insights. The ideal candidate is highly comfortable working with large data sets, forecasting demand, and providing margin and pricing recommendations. This position reports into a senior merchandising leader.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop merchandise and receipt plans that support overall business objectives, sales targets, and market trends across categories and channels.
• Own and lead Open-to-Buy reviews and regular business updates with leadership.
• Forecast demand by leveraging historical performance, market indicators, and customer behavior to project sales, receipts, and inventory positions.
• Monitor inventory and sell-through, recommending adjustments to orders to optimize sales, margin, and inventory turn while minimizing out-of-stocks and excess inventory.
• Conduct ongoing financial and performance analysis, including sales, margin, and product profitability, and present clear, actionable recommendations.
• Build and manage markdown budgets and partner with merchandising on ongoing pricing and markdown strategies.
• Support the achievement of sales, margin, and inventory productivity goals.
• Deliver accurate and timely reporting; review and refine reports for clarity, completeness, and effectiveness.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities in the business and communicate findings in a concise, accessible format for stakeholders.
• Proactively look for ways to increase sales, improve margin, and drive growth beyond the baseline plan.
• Perform additional planning, analysis, and merchandising support duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in assortment, demand, or merchandise planning, preferably with at least 2 years in a retail ecommerce setting.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including advanced retail math and demand planning proficiency.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships and partner cross-functionally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to present complex information in a clear, concise, and audience-appropriate way.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset combined with the ability to work autonomously.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment; flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience creating ad-hoc reports; familiarity with planning and BI tools (such as ERP or reporting platforms) is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of demand planning, forecasting methodologies, and inventory management best practices.
• Experience in buying and/or allocation is an advantage.

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