Support Center - Irving

The Manager - Merchandise Planning supports Merchandising by providing leadership to Planners to drive sales and margin objectives and ensure inventory levels are sufficient to support financial objectives. This Team Member is responsible for oversight of detailed bottoms up weekly/monthly reforecasting utilizing Oracle’s Merchandise Financial Planning system. This individual will develop and maintain a strong partnership with Category Directors and Managers to successfully run the business. The Manager - Merchandise Planning will work cross-functionally; interacting with a wide range of departments including Merchandising, Sourcing, Inventory Management, Finance, Marketing, Pricing, Space Planning, Stores, and Supply Chain / Distribution.

Major Activities
Merchandise Planning

Partner with Merchants and the Inventory Management Team to ensure detailed and accurate forecasts, analysis, timely receipt flow, and proper levels of merchandise for all Basic, Seasonal, and Trend programsOwn the first review of financial plans for departments within area of responsibility (pre-season and in-season)Monitor/manage the weekly forecasts prepared by Planners to ensure that the bottoms-up plans reflect current market conditions, trends and strategiesValidate Reg/Promo/Clearance Sales and GM plans are accurate based on promotional cadenceReview wave breaks to ensure receipt flow is appropriately positioned to support salesOccasionally lead division level financial review meetings and monthly forecast reviews with Sr. Management

Analysis

Accountable for providing actionable analysis and recommendations to Category Directors and Director - Merchandise Planning to inform business decisionsAssortment analysis to inform seasonal purchase plan and reset decisionsProvide ad-hoc analysis as required based on business needs

Financial

Own the first review of assortment plans and POG Walk documentation for division (across all departments) o    Accountable for Planogram/Reset financial preparation and review, including Dual/Multi-Location product setsAccountable for managing to seasonal/trend sell-through targets in categories of responsibilityAccountable for margin management including discounts, pricing and markdown activity for categories of responsibility as well as inventory flow, receipts, turn and EOP goal attainmentManage cross-functional team timeline accountability with regard to pre-season and in-season planning, strategy reviews and seasonal purchase plans

Leadership

Drive accountability with planners to seek out opportunities to maximize performance as well as improve processesProvide leadership and training to planners through coaching and development in the following areas:

o    Creating/maintaining bottoms up plans and forecasts
o    Creating and managing seasonal/trend ladder plans
o    Preparation of seasonal/trend purchase plans
o    Analytical evaluation of seasons, trends and POGs

Accountable for proactive communication to Category Management, Supply Chain/Logistics, Store Operations, the vendor community and all other cross functional teams as to share information and ensure clarity and proper executionEncourage two-way communication and promote shared learningActively work with cross functional team members to create a positive and pro-active working environment. Achieve active participation through effective leadership skills rather than compliance.

Minimum Special Certifications or technical skills

Proficient MS Excel abilities

Minimum Type of experience the job requires  

5-7 years in Merchandise Planning, Allocation or Merchandising in the retail industryPlanning and replenishment system experience

Other

Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skillsStrong leadership capability and ability to influence decision making processDemonstrates ability to lead and influence a cross functional teamClearly demonstrates ability to approach problems and analysis creatively

Preferred Education

BS in Business, Finance, Retail or related field preferredBusiness, logistics, finance or supply chain preferred

Preferred Special Certifications or technical skills 

Demonstrate a working knowledge in Oracle MFP, EXCEL, MicroStrategy, RETEK and ACCESS a plus

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

At The Michaels Companies Inc, our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity. As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com

At Michaels, we prioritize the wellbeing of our teams by providing robust benefits for both full-time and part-time Team Members. Our benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, tuition assistance, generous employee discounts, and much more. For more information, visit mikbenefits.com.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all customers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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