Merchandise Planner

Who We Are

At Tillys , we’re a leading specialty retailer offering casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men, women, boys, and girls. Our extensive collection features iconic global brands, emerging labels, and proprietary lines, all rooted in an active and social lifestyle.

Based in sunny Southern California, our Retail Support Center (RSC ) is the heart of our corporate operations, dedicated to supporting both our retail and online stores. The RSC is where strategy meets execution. From trend forecasting to tech innovation, our teams work together to bring the Tillys experience to life — both in-store and online.

Position Summary

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing and executing strategic merchandise plans to maximize sales, manage inventory, and drive profitability. This role involves forecasting weekly and monthly sales, analyzing business trends, and collaborating closely with Buyers, Allocators, and cross-functional partners to ensure optimal product assortments and inventory flow. Using tools such as SAS Planning & Design, the Merchandise Planner will monitor performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend adjustments to meet sales, turn, and gross margin goals.

Key Responsibilities

A typical day may include :

• Forecast weekly and monthly sales based on historical trends and future anticipated business at the departmental level to manage business and control inventory.
• Weekly reporting to Buying staff and Open to Buy results forecasts.
• Analyze and interpret the Merchandise Plans utilizing the SAS Planning System.
• Identifying and irregularities and potential issues in the SAS Planning system, ensuring that all facets of the planning process are protected and accurately reported.
• Collaborate with peers to ensure consistency of information, share best practices.
• Suggesting changes to such plans in accordance with current trends, and / or historical data.
• Derive weekly sales plans based on monthly sales goals, historical performance and calendar holiday schedule.
• Analysis as needed, recognizing risks and opportunities in business.
• Attend and lead monthly merchandise planning meetings with GMM, DMM’s, Buyers, and supervisors to review sales, inventory, markdowns, stock to sales, etc. within proposed merchandise plans.
• Suggest revisions as needed.
• Document research and follow up on all data integrity issues surrounding the planning and Open to Buy.
• Consistently challenge the team to increase sales while managing turn and GM goals.
• Identify all risks and opportunities within merchandise plans.
• Recommend supporting course of action.
• Weekly analysis and interpretation of sales reports and both the dollar and unit levels, utilizing Decision tool to pull data and create spreadsheets to further expand on knowledge of the business.
• Review and understand company reports used as tools to manage the planning process.
• Unit Planning of Key Item styles.
• Partner with allocation :
• Consolidate strategies of seasonal and other key categories to maximize sales.
• New store plan execution.
• Buyer Support :
• Review on-order and suggest extensions or cancellations.
• Provide historical and current business analysis as needed
• Create buy breaks at all levels, seasonally, to support the Buyer in the Open to Buy process.
• Attend departmental OTB and Buying meetings to discuss and improve business.
• Expected to recognize and recommend markdowns.
• New Stores :
• Planning inventory accurately and completely all new stores that Tillys open during any time.
• Researching any deficiencies in merchandise mix and suggesting alternative to ensure successful openings.
• Personal Performance :
• Assist in the training of new staff members.
• Give continuous constructive feedback.
• Remain open, positive, and adaptable4 to change the new challenges for growth.
• Document suggestions, ideas, area of opportunities for growth or improvement of the company and communicate them to supervisors.
• Lead by example.
• Clear and concise communication with upper management.

Qualifications

Your experience brings :

Education & Experience

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Leadership & Team Development

While this is not a leadership role, we value team players who embody proactive collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and a growth mindset. Opportunities to grow and develop within the company are strongly supported.

What to Expect

Schedule : Full-time role with weekday office hours; occasional evening or weekend work may be required during peak retail seasons.

Work Location : Irvine, CA — minimum of 4 days per week in-office.

Why Join Tillys?

At Tillys, we thrive in a creative, collaborative, and high-energy environment where individuality is not just accepted — it’s celebrated. Whether you're brainstorming bold new campaigns or fine-tuning behind-the-scenes processes, your work makes a real impact. We foster a culture of inclusion, innovation, and recognition, where professional growth is supported, wins are celebrated, and having fun is part of the process. Join a team that values authenticity, teamwork, and always strives for excellence.

Perks & Benefits

Equal Opportunity Employer & Fair Chance Hiring

Tillys is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Fair Chance Hiring : In compliance with California law, Tillys will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act.

Other Considerations

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform essential job functions.