Merchandise Analyst

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization. We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids have built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

General Position Summary

The Merchandise Analyst develops and implements in-season allocation and replenishment strategies from distribution center to stores for their assigned categories. The Analyst is responsible for ensuring optimum inventory levels by store to maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity while minimizing markdowns. The Analyst ensures the allocation strategies and execution deliver the right product in optimal quantities to the right stores on time.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Allocate inventory by store across the assigned categories for new programs, core replenishment items, promotional product, launch programs, and seasonal merchandise.
• Analyze business results using Excel, Business Intelligence tools and reports to identify opportunities at department, team, vendor, item and location level; identify and action changes in allocation strategy to capitalize on sales trends.
• Collaborate with Buyers and Merchandise planners to recommend and align on allocation flow strategy and inventory needs to support Merchandising strategies.
• Develop and apply knowledge of geographic and store-attribute performance and trends through analysis and drive results by transferring knowledge into allocation strategies.
• New Stores: Ensure allocation of new store inventory meets assortment plan and inventory targets in support of Grand Opening and ensure optimal inventory levels are maintained based on sales performance
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data to inform decision-making.
• Consistently demonstrate analytical curiosity and socialize thoughts to drive action
• Ability to balance conflicting & competing priorities. Delivering a set of options, detailing impacts for each while driving to a single recommendation.
• Work collaboratively across multiple functions and departments within the organization on business decisions and able to troubleshoot issues for best possible resolution.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel including functions, pivot tables and lookups; proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Powerpoint.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization. Can present ideas and recommendations that lead others to action.
• Results-oriented, willingness to follow through, make informed decisions, complete responsibilities and problem-solve.Bachelor’s degree in business-related discipline, fashion merchandising, supply chain and/or 1-3 years of prior allocation experience is ideal.
• Bachelor’s degree in business-related discipline, fashion merchandising, supply chain and/or 1-3 years of prior allocation experience is ideal.

Reports To

Allocation Manager