Merchandise Planning Associate - Case Goods and Outdoor Furniture

Job Overview

The Associate, Merchandise Planner sets financial targets for sales, margin, and receipts by channel and department. They drive bottom-up merchandise financial plans that align with Buyer’s category strategies. In-season, they maintain rolling forecasts at the department(s) level and work with the Buyer to manage the business. Additionally, they collaborate with Inventory Managers to review product flow and mitigate risks. The Associate performs other duties as assigned.

What You Will Do

• Translate top-down GFOB & Division financial targets to the department level.
• Collaborate with Buyers to develop a monthly department-level bottom-up build, emphasizing sales, margin, and turn in line with the category strategy.
• Develop in-season Rolling Operating Forecast for sales, margin, and inventory.
• Gather input from Buyers and Inventory Managers to maintain a weekly inventory forecast, including updates on vendor-specific shipping.
• Support the assignment of stores to division / department volume clusters.
• Manage department-level Open-to-Buy (OTB) in collaboration with Buyers.
• Review business performance by channel, focusing on highlights and opportunities.
• Assess current inventory levels and evaluate Rolling Operating Forecast (ROF) based on beginning of month (BOM), receipts, and end of month (EOM) plans.
• Evaluate opportunities and risks related to adjusting core parameters, allocations, markdowns, and promotions to achieve sales, margin, and inventory objectives.
• Develop action plans with buyers to meet financial targets.
• Establish and maintain store clusters at the department level and above to align with financial plans.
• Ensure regular, dependable attendance and punctuality.

Skills You Will Need

Financial Acumen : Proficiency in setting financial targets for sales, margin, and receipts, along with the ability to translate top-down financial targets to the department level.

Forecasting Analysis : Capability to develop in-season Rolling Operating Forecasts for sales, margin, and inventory, as well as conducting forecasting analysis to support decision-making.

Inventory Optimization : Skill in collaborating with Inventory Managers to review product flow, assess current inventory levels, and optimize inventory management strategies.

Risk and Opportunity Assessment : Ability to identify and quantify risks and opportunities within the business, evaluating adjustments to core parameters, allocations, markdowns, and promotions to achieve financial objectives.

Communication Skills : Practice of open and continuous communication, with the ability to effectively present information in a clear and concise manner, keeping stakeholders informed.

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills : Excellent leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with Buyers, Inventory Managers, and other stakeholders across functional lines and organizational levels.

Creative and Strategic Thinking : Capability to think creatively, strategically, and technically, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and strategies aligned with business goals.

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