The role of the Planner is to maximize gross margin dollars & inventory productivity by providing the overall financial direction of a category or department(s). Planners are primarily responsible for developing seasonal merchandise financial plans, pricing strategies and assortment optimization. Planners also work with Buyers in assortment and buy planning by facilitating layering of assortments and validating the profitability of purchases. In-season, Planners provide in-depth analysis of product performance and make recommendations to maximize business opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Develop merchandise financial plans, vendor or class as appropriate, that support the merchandise strategies while achieving corporate financial goals both for the short term (seasonal) and long term (multi-year).Develop the assortment plan and the initial buy plan through use of hindsighting and profitability toolsDevelop replenishment budgets and providing analytics required for planning and managing replenishment items. Reforecasting replenishment budget to inform Monthly ForecastLead Monthly Forecast process to manage business in season and maximize opportunities through product lifecycle managementPartner with allocation team to Reconcile merchandise and by-door plans with store level opportunitiesOptimize profitability by leading the permanent markdown process & providing recommendations on in-season POS pricing strategies

Education / Experience Requirements:

Position Contribution Level :

Intermediate Level

Minimum Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred or equivalent years of comparable experience4-7 years of retail experience; 2-3 in merchandise or financial planningProficient in Excel and Microsoft office suite of products and business related software

Knowledge / Skills Requirements:

Strong merchandising, product and marketing skillsDemonstrates strong analytical and problem solving skillsHighly organized and able to multitaskBuilds and maintains productive relationships with peers, merchant team and allocation teamDemonstrates leadership and decision-making skillsTakes calculated risks to achieve resultsDemonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skillsAnalyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and classReacts to business trends in a timely and efficient mannerAdapts to shifting circumstances in a business environmentAble to translate strategy into tactical, well-developed financial plansAble to think strategically and provide financial direction for future business opportunitiesMaintains professionalism in work relationships and habitsDevelops creative solutions to business issuesWorks effectively with staff and Divisional/BSS management to achieve sound financial and merchandising solutions based on analysis, input and experienceCommunicates effectively with stores and vendors

Reporting Relationships:

Supervisor :

DIR Planning or VP Planning

Supervises :

May supervise an Assistant Planner

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer:
We treat all our associates and candidates as equals. We require all associates and managers to do so too and comply with employment laws and regulations. All personnel actions are conducted in the spirit of equal employment. We are committed to recruit, train, promote and retain associates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

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