Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

The Merchandise Planner plays a pivotal role in driving the success of our merchandise assortment, focusing on maximizing sales and profitability. As the first hire in our planning organization, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the foundation of our planning processes. This role combines strategic planning with operational execution, optimizing inventory levels to enhance margin and fuel growth. The inventory guru thrives on innovation, optimization, and problem-solving, always seeking new ways to propel the business forward and meet customer demands.

Your responsibilities include:

• Take charge of strategic company planning and inventory planning to drive sales, manage inventory turnover, and exceed financial targets in your designated area.
• Design innovative inventory strategies that effectively balance new and core merchandise, while supporting in-stock and turnover objectives within the company budget.
• Determine optimal order quantities for core items and develop flow strategies, collaborating with vendors and merchandising to ensure timely and accurate execution of purchase orders.
• Analyze historical data to extract valuable insights on product performance, pricing strategies, and inventory trends, applying these learnings to inform future seasons.
• Accurately forecast sales and inventory needs, crafting strategies that maximize opportunities and minimize risks.
• Maintain the planning system with precise parameters to enhance forecast accuracy, optimize receipt flow, and improve algorithm performance.
• Develop and implement new or enhanced forecasting models that provide greater visibility into business performance and drive informed decision-making.

Who you are:

Qualifications:

• BA or BS preferred.
• 4+ consecutive years of Merchandising Planning experience.

Skills:

• Data driven individual with a curious, entrepreneurial mindset. Able to take initiative to start work quickly to meet deadlines.
• Effective problem solver, with a hands-on "get things done" mentality. You are eager and able to solve challenges and tackle opportunities, identify potential issues and hurdles, and develop ways to get around them.
• Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills. You're energized by data and are always looking to uncover insights to develop new ideas, test hypotheses, and make key recommendations.
• Proven ability to objectively interpret data and extract actionable insights that drive the business
• Effective prioritization and organization to stay positive and proactive in an ambiguous environment are a must.
• Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Understands that different situations may call for different approaches, showing the ability to be flexible in changing situations.

Technical Proficiency & Preferred Experience:

• Advanced proficiency in Excel/Google Suites and have aptitude to learn technical applications quickly.
• Have experience in the subscription business desired.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k with company match
• Flexible PTO policy & paid holidays
• Catered lunch on Fridays and company events
• Employee discount on merchandise
• Opportunity to work at a Y-Combinator backed startup alongside a dedicated and experienced founding team

Short Story is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and a work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants. We work diligently to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.