VP of Merchandise Planning & Allocation (Chicago)

Claires is a global leader in self-expression, fashion jewelry, and accessories, empowering individuals around the world to celebrate their unique style and creativity. For more than five decades, Claires has been a trusted destination for trend-driven products, exceptional ear-piercing services, and memorable shopping experiences.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Planning & Allocation will guide and develop Store Planning, Allocation, including replenishment best practices, and work with cross functional merchandising senior leadership to ensure that the right product is at the right stores at the right time. This person will be responsible for developing and implementing store plans and store distribution strategies to drive? sales and support? inventory objectives and to ensure department financial goals are met. Partner with buying and planning team leadership in executing item / program / category strategies to support financial plans. The VP of Allocation and S tore planning will also be responsible for leading a group of Store Planners and Analysts, Allocation Managers, Director of Allocation and Director of Store Planning. The position will require a commitment to the support, training, development, and daily management of the allocation team. The VP of Store Planning & Allocation is responsible for ensuring in-store merchandise presentations objectives are delivered, coordinating & prioritizing all replenishment activities and managing the individual store sales / inventory plans.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Accountable for the direct supervision and leadership (switch leadership and supervision?) of a group of Store Planning Managers, Store Planners, Store Analysts, Allocation Managers, as well as the Directors of Allocation and Store Planning.
• Ensure allocation strategies and store sales / inventory plans are developed, executed, and maintained to ensure maximum sell through and profitability on product while minimizing markdowns.
• Lead team through reviews, day-to-day performance feedback, training, and coaching and execution of required tasks.
• Direct team to analyze sales trends to ensure stores are in stock on core items, promotional product, new programs, and seasonal merchandise.
• Work alongside senior leadership team to influence overall merchandise vision while ensuring store plans and allocation strategies support the vision.
• Guide team to prevent, identify and rectify stock imbalances in individual stores through the allocation of new receipts and replenishment inventory to maximize the ability of each store to generate sales and margin.
• Ensure team analyzes SKU and program productivity to ensure store turn and weeks of supply goals are met; create and develop tiered assortment strategies. Work with subject matter experts in these respective areas to ensure proper reporting and efficiency of these programs.
• Ensure all stores have appropriate inventory levels to support presentation and sales while collaborating with cross functional team, including periodic optimal store ranking, clustering to ensure proper distribution of merchandise.

Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Preferred Job Required Knowledge& Skills

In Order to be Successful in this Role :