Merchandise Planner

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. 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.

Our business spans multiple channels, offering unique opportunities across different areas of the organization. This includes our core LIDS retail business, which is primarily focused on headwear; our Shop-in-Shop and partner retail locations including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Macy’s; and LIDSU, our collegiate-focused division. Each area plays a critical role in delivering localized assortments and driving growth across our portfolio.

General Position Summary

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing and managing financial plans for sales, gross margin, and inventory across both pre-season and in-season periods. This role partners closely with Buying and Merchandising to build and execute localized assortment strategies that drive sales and profitability. The Merchandise Planner owns the development, execution, and communication of financial and inventory plans, and provides ongoing analysis and insights to support the Merchandising team and Executive Leadership in assessing business performance and guiding key decisions.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly merchandise plans.
• Construct merchandise purchase schedules, initial product deliveries, and in‑season merchandise flow.
• Manage monthly department level open‑to‑buy activities.
• Provide expert analysis on trends and recommendations to influence cancellations, future purchases, and assortment strategies.
• Analyze historic performance to identify areas of opportunity or risk.
• Prepare preseason promotional and markdown strategy through partnership with buyer and merchandising teams.
• Develop, maintain, and update set of tools & reports to support business needs.
• Establish appropriate processes & tools to review product assortments; provide data & analysis to support decision making.
• Maintain business processes and serve as subject matter expert for process improvements.

Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with allocation & supply chain teams to implement consistent and profitable in‑season replenishment strategies and practices.
• Develop enterprise‑wide risk mitigation plans and execute when appropriate.
• Coordinate product assortments and allocations with store needs.
• Manage hot market events by communicating and quantifying opportunities.
• Manage location intensive assortments.
• Manage local/regional relevant assortments and business solutions.
• Support and adhere to all company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide excellent customer service per HW&L policy manual.
• Represent planning and at times present to executives, employees, and partners.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, or related field.
• 3–5 years merchandising, planning, buying, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of retail math and measures used in financial reporting.
• Proven ability to perform independently with minimal supervision.
• Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel; proficiency in Access, PowerPoint, and Word; ability to learn technical applications quickly.
• Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from qualitative & quantitative data.
• Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to use rigorous logic to solve problems with effective solutions.

Preferred Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Able to build constructive and effective relationships across broad groups.
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities and deliver meaningful results.
• Effective in various presentation settings to peers and executives.
• Can present ideas and direction that lead to action.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed goals.
• Identifies and communicates risks; recommends changes to prevent disruptions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment
• 401(k) plan with company match after 90 days, fully vested from day 1
• 100% employer-paid benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Competitive annual bonus opportunity
• Generous employee discount and exclusive perks
• Attractive paid time off package including holidays and floating holidays
• Flexible summer hours opportunity for eligible employees
• Ongoing career development and professional training, including discounted secondary education courses and certification reimbursement for select departments.
• A collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment
• Early Wage Access options to provide added financial flexibility

Work Environment

• Onsite office work environment.
• Standard business hours from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., flexibility may be provided upon request.

Physical Demands and Travel Requirements

• Ability to constantly sit at a desk in a sedentary work environment
• Ability to frequently communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to view electronic/written materials and adjust focus when needed (i.e. computers screens, documents, etc.)
• Ability to frequently use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally stand and walk throughout the office.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move items up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally present information to small and large groups, including team members and leadership.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. For inquires related to reasonable accommodations, please contact HR@Lids.com