Overview Associate Merchandise Planner The Associate Merchandise Planner partners with merchandising to develop and manage comprehensive business strategies to drive sales, optimize inventory investment, and generate profit. Responsible for managing the Open-to-Buy (inventory budget), building financial plans, and performing analysis to support the sales plan. The Associate Merchandise Planner will report to the Planning and Allocation Director (PAD). During the pilot/training phase, instruction will be coordinated by the PAD with extensive support from Planning Systems Managers & tenured Merch Planners, one of whom will be designated as an official Mentor. The majoriy of the education process will be in a live environment in an assigned Group/Business Unit (BU) that is smaller in scope than a typical Merch Planner role. Primary Responsibilities: • Develop/execute subdivision financial plans in both dollars and units by week for sales, receipts, inventory, gross profit, and inventory turn for the assigned area of responsibility. Collaborate with the Buyer in building financial targets for sourcing and national brand vendors as applicable. • Prepare and manage the subdivision Open-to-Buy to ensure optimal performance is achieved by month, quarter, and season, while managing to planned inventory & profit goals. • Prepare weekly and monthly review of sales, gross profit, and inventory results and coordinate subsequent re-forecasting with Planning and Allocation Director, as well as present the forecast to the BU to identify opportunities and risks. • Develop seasonal transition targets and strategies for their assigned areas. • Key metrics requiring forecast accuracy: Sales, Inventory Purchases, Promotional/Permanent Markdowns. Core Competencies & Accomplishments: • College degree preferred. • 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in business, planning, allocation, and/or merchandising. • Able to collaborate with cross functional partners and meet deadlines in fast paced & dynamic environment. • Readily grasps numerical concepts and interprets financial information accurately. • Ability to utilize retail math analysis to drive profitability and inventory productivity. • Exhibits high standards and accountability; takes pride in accuracy. • Ability to provide strategic planning direction and identify growth opportunities. • Results-oriented and self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency. What you get: We offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays, 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, and an associate discount on JCPenney merchandise. About JCPenney: JCPenney is the shopping destination for diverse, working American families. With inclusivity at its core, the Company’s product assortment meets customers’ everyday needs and helps them commemorate every special occasion with style, quality and value. JCPenney offers a broad portfolio of fashion, apparel, home, beauty and jewelry from national and private brands and provides personal services including salon, portrait and optical. The Company and its 50,000 associates worldwide serve customers where, when and how they want to shop – from jcp.com to more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2022, JCPenney celebrates 120 years as an iconic American brand by continuing its legacy of connecting with customers through shopping and community engagement. Please visit JCPenney’s Newsroom to learn more and follow JCPenney on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. For more opportunities to join our team please visit our careers page. Pay Range USD $54,000.00 - USD $87,000.00 /Yr.