Merchandise Planning Manager

The Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives within their division, while ensuring the accuracy and consistency of all pre-season and in-season merchandise plans. The Manager will lead his or her team to effectively analyze multi-dimensional plans including sales trends, inventory levels, inventory turn and open to buy. The Manager will partner closely with Merchandising, Store Planning and Allocation teams to identify business opportunities and risks and make recommendations accordingly. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to independently provide sound analytics, draw, summarize and communicate conclusions and gain consensus with cross-functional business partners and leadership. The Merchandise Planning Manager will play a critical role in building a positive work culture, driving employee involvement, and supporting change management efforts within the retail organization.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Analyze, plan, forecast and evaluate financial data to implement and support profitable merchandise strategies.
• Develop seasonal merchandise plans with teams to maximize opportunities and minimize risks.
• Manage inventory levels, open to buy and flow of goods to support sales and product turn targets.
• Evaluate and build in-season strategies for key classifications and items to drive top-line sales.
• Build Assortment strategies by store cluster that support open to buy by volume groups, weather zone and other key store and product attributes.
• Build seasonal strategies that support profitable product entry and exit by weather zone and / or store attribute.
• Ensure assortment plans are incorporated through store planning and allocation processes to execute merchandise vision downstream.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with merchant counterparts in furtherance of business objectives.
• Collaborate with store planning and allocation teams to maintain synergy between top down and bottom-up sales and inventory targets and ensure product strategies are executed downstream.
• Participate in company initiatives and / or produce company level analyses as applicable.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES :

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE :

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

GENERAL INFORMATION :

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment. Discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. is prohibited.