Merchandise Planner

Merchandise PlannerOverall Job Summary This position is responsible for driving financial performance relating to Sales, Inventory productivity, Sell Through, and Margin through a strong working knowledge of merchandise planning techniques and principles. Candidate will work to develop strong teamwork between Inventory Management, Space Planning, Store Ops, Pricing, Supply Chain and Merchandising. The successful candidate will create Annual, Pre-Season, and Assortment Plans that balance Tractor Supply Company's Merchandise and Inventory Productivity strategies and will collaborate with all functional areas to ensure those plans are executed. They will analyze and interpret data from multiple sources, provide forecasting support, and suggest appropriate actions by managing the Open-To-Buy and In-Season Monitoring processes.Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Min 5%) Primary focus on merchandise financial plans, building assortment plans and completing financial analysis. Create and present Assortment Plans in accordance with the official line review schedule. Completed assortment plans will accurately reflect a balance of merchandise strategy, financial objectives, and the varying regionality of TSC's stores. Forecast and Plan promotional (circular, event) items and purchases; research previous results and apply learnings to improve forecast accuracy. Create, maintain, and adjust Sales, Gross Margin, and Inventory Forecasts/Open to Buy. Present forecasts to management; provide recommendations and action points as needed. Follow up and report back on progress made on goals. Plan, measure, and implement actions to improve Seasonal Sell-thru. Facilitate and manage the seasonal Correction of Errors process with multiple business partners; document learnings and provide recommendations. Create and maintain "Key Item" plans on strategically important items. Collaborate with Merchandising on a unit sales forecast and Inventory Management on proper receipt flow. Create the Annual Merchandising Budget with close collaboration from Merchandising and Inventory Management. Travel as needed to trade shows, vendor facilities, TSC store and DC tours, and off-site training.Required Qualifications Experience: 6 plus years of retail experience, including a minimum of 3-5 years in planning, merchandising, or Inventory Management. Education: BS in Business, Retail, or other related field from an accredited college or university. Any suitable combination of education and experience will be considered. Professional Certifications: None.Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities Preferred Systems Experience: SAP, Business Objects, E3 or other planning/inventory management software. Strongly Preferred: Strong skill set in Microsoft Office, highly skilled in Excel. Working Conditions Normal office working conditions Physical Requirements Sitting Standing (not walking) Walking Kneeling/Stooping/Bending Driving a vehicle Lifting up to 10 pounds Disclaimer This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. A team member should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.