Distribution Planner

The Role + Purpose The Distribution Planner is responsible for driving allocation, replenishment, and inventory flow strategies that support sales, productivity, and inventory health across the business. This role partners closely with Planning, Merchandising, and cross‑functional teams to translate business trends into actionable recommendations at the product, category, and item level. The Distribution Planner balances strategic thinking with strong execution, while also contributing to process improvement, team development, and overall business continuity. Responsibilities Preseason Analyze hindsight reporting to identify missed opportunities, inventory risks, and category‑level learnings that inform future assortment and buy strategies. Provide recommendations on minimum buys, category investment, and size curve opportunities to help shape preseason inventory plans. Partner with cross‑functional teams to support rollout and allocation planning, ensuring inventory strategies align with business goals. Review historical performance, receipt timing, and assortment needs to recommend strategies that optimize future inventory flow. Support the development, testing, and refinement of reporting and tools that improve visibility into allocation performance and business opportunities. In Season Independently manage style‑level outbound planning and allocation execution to support sales, inventory productivity, and flow of goods. Set up eligibility, create and analyze reporting, and allocate initial ASNs for rollout launches, making recommendations based on current performance and inventory position. Execute allocation and replenishment strategies across categories, including size balancing, flow optimization, and inventory management for the Retail channel. Refresh and review weekly business reports, proactively identifying risks and opportunities and recommending actions to improve results. Manage flow forecasts and support inventory rebalancing actions across channels and store groups based on current business needs. Refresh basics ladders and review recommendations related to receipt timing, size offerings, and core assortment productivity. Partner with cross‑functional teams to recommend changes in allocation and inventory strategy based on business performance, assortment needs, and flow challenges. Use reporting and analysis to support planning, merchandising, and inventory decisions, translating findings into clear action steps. Team + Cross‑Functional Leadership Serve as a resource to junior team members by answering questions, sharing best practices, and supporting day‑to‑day execution. Support onboarding and development of new team members while helping maintain strong team execution. Build strong cross‑functional partnerships and proactively anticipate questions, issues, and opportunities before they arise. Lead by example through strong execution, accountability, and a solutions‑oriented approach to the business. Help support team workflow and business continuity as needed, including stepping in when manager support is limited or unavailable. Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by helping implement new reporting, tools, and processes that strengthen team effectiveness. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree. 3+ years of experience in allocation, distribution planning, replenishment, inventory management, or related analytical retail experience. Strong analytical, financial, and retail math skills. Ability to interpret business performance and translate data into actionable inventory and allocation recommendations. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and aptitude to learn new systems and technical applications quickly. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across teams. Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive results through execution. Preferred: Experience in a multi‑channel retail environment. Familiarity with allocation, forecasting, or inventory management systems. Experience supporting rollout strategies, replenishment, or size optimization. Prior experience mentoring junior team members or serving as an informal team resource. This role follows our in‑office work model, requiring associates to work from our New York office Tuesday through Thursday each week, effective September 8, 2026. Benefits + Perks Health & Well‑being – Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more. Associate Discount – We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell). Summer Fridays – In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months. Community Impact – We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program. Winter Break – In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full‑time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge. Salary Range: $64,200.00 - $79,600.00 At J.Crew Group (JCG) we aim to pay competitively for our company’s size and industry. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work premises, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The base salary is just one component of J.Crew Group’s competitive total rewards strategy that also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits and perks. JCG is proud to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, legally protected physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected under applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr J.Crew