Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner is key business partner with Buyer and Sr Buyer to ensure achievement of department goals in terms of sales, gross margin and inventory.

Major Activities

• Provide Sr Buyer / Buyer with analysis and recommendation to optimize sales, margin and inventory, in season recommendations to optimize seasonal plans
• Ensure corporate inventory initiatives are included in dept strategies
• Optimize seasonal inventory flow
• In season management and execution of basic assortment exit strategies for resets
• Partner with Financial Planner to develop and execute SKU rationalization goals

Purchase Planning

• Use MFP (Michaels Financial Planning) to create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans at subclass level for seasonal and trend programs
• Owns MFP administration for seasonal and basic plans
• Incorporates correction of errors
• Recommend "wave breaks" for seasonal flow
• Recommend optimal inner and master packs
• Partner with pricing and Sr Buyer / Buyer to make appropriate in season MD recommendations for seasonal and trend product
• Evaluate forward buys on market deals and other opportunities
• Develop and adhere to critical timelines

Assortment Planning

• Ensure assortments are completed within specific timeframes
• Participate in assortment plan review with category mgt team for seasonal and SBA assortments by analyzing historical information, and make appropriate recommendations

Reset Support

• Develop and implement MD strategy following reset financial timeline

Implement Discontinue Timing

• Implement order placement timing for new product with Sr Buyer / Buyer and replenishment team
• Monitor progress of reset activities and integrate into MFP sales, margin and inventory forecast
• Update finance partner on any activities that would require updating reset financials

Minimum Education

• BS or equivalent
• Business, retail or related field

Minimum Special Certifications or Technical Skills

• Microsoft Office literate, especially Excel

Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires

• 2-5 years in retail
• Numerical analysis and project management experience

Other

• Ability to work comfortably on unstructured problems/tasks
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and time constraints

Preferred Special Certifications or Technical Skills

• Planning system skills preferred

Preferred Type of Experience the Job Requires

• 2+ years in retail planning or allocation preferred

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 and celebration. As the leading destination for creating and celebrating 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. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit

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

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).