Associate Merchandise Planner (Remote)

The Associate Merchandise Planner is accountable for business results by analyzing performance of key items and recommending financial strategies to ensure key item financial parameters are achieved.

Reports To: Manager/Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and manages weekly sales, markdowns, and receipt plans for key items based on both trend and historical performance.
• Analyzes business performance of key items in-season and recommends strategies to maximize sales and mitigate risk.
• Provides bottoms-up reporting and various ad-hoc analyses to recap key item performance.
• Formulates solution minded recommendations to drive results; able to influence the Merchandise planner on opportunities to adjust the merchandise forecast at the subclass level based on key item results and trends.
• Collaborates with cross functional partners to set pre-season key item financial targets that supports the merchant vision; ensuring delivery of financial goals and that in-stock targets can be achieved.
• Translates key item hindsight and in season performance into future architecture.
• Partners with Store Planning and Allocation to ensure inventory plans align to store inventory targets.
• Participates in business meetings to ensure key item plans align with the merchandise strategy.
• Communicates effectively to a wide variety of audiences to drive results.

Required Skills:

• Strong financial acumen and statistical/analytical skills including data retrieval, organization, presentation, and summary skills.
• Prioritizes effectively and adjusts easily to changing demands; demonstrates strong time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills including written and verbal with emphasis on delivery of financial concepts.
• Proficient in Excel, MicroStrategy and Enterprise Planning.
• Ability to provide point of view; influences others through detailed analysis, factual data, and makes strategic recommendations on actions to take.

Competencies:

SETTING GOALS – Creates and follows effective plans. Anticipates risks, creates contingency plans. Aligns plans with goals. Allocates adequate resources. Accepts and supports change. Willing to take risks and suggests new ideas, approaches. Takes initiative. Seeks out learning activities.

WORKING WITH OTHERS – Clearly articulates own, other’s goals. Promotes a team atmosphere by demonstrating humility and respect. Builds effective relationships, relates well to others. Delivers and responds to feedback in a constructive manner. Considers multiple perspectives. Handles conflict, pressure, uncertainty and adapts independently. Meets commitments. Dedicated to working with business partners on their expectations.

GETTING RESULTS – Personally accountable for work performance targets and achieving results. Prioritizes well. Anticipates and handles obstacles effectively. Makes good, timely decisions. Can simplify and process complex problems. Understands underlying issues and addresses root causes. Meets deadlines, works until finished.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Planning, Allocation, Buying or financial analysis role, or combination of planning and merchant experience.

Education:

• BA or BS in Business, Finance, or related field

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