(USA) Senior Manager, Merchandising Planning

Reference: R-2556319Posted: 2026-09-01Location: BENTONVILLE, AR, United StatesSalary: $90000 - $180000/yearType: Full time / Regular/PermanentCompany: WalmartBusiness Segment: Home OfficeRole summary: The Senior Manager, Merchandising Planning, leads category-level financial forecasting and strategic planning to optimize merchandise performance. This role leverages advanced data analysis and visualization tools to influence decisions and drive customer-centric recommendations across multiple channels. The position involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop financial targets, support vendor negotiations, and enhance forecasting accuracy. The role also includes overseeing budgeting processes, managing markdowns, and executing strategic initiatives to improve category effectiveness while ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational priorities. About the team: The Merchandising Execution team plays a vital role in ensuring product availability across all shopping channels by converting assortment strategies into actionable plans. Collaborating closely with Merchants, the team enhances inventory productivity, in-stock performance, and financial results. Operating at an enterprise level, it drives key decisions related to inventory, service, and profitability in a dynamic setting. Their expertise in merchandise planning, financial forecasting, category management, data analysis, and customer demand planning supports operational excellence and sustained business success, directly impacting the customer experience through optimized inventory flows and accurate forecasting. What you'll do:Leverage data analysis and visualization tools to develop actionable insights that influence merchandising decisions and category strategies.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align financial forecasts, inventory planning, and promotional activities for complex categories.Drive category-level assortment and feature planning, supporting vendor negotiations with relevant financial inputs and risk assessments.Own and update sales and inventory forecasts, incorporating customer demand trends and market intelligence to optimize product availability.Lead strategic initiatives by identifying operational needs, removing barriers, and ensuring execution of business plans.Mentor and develop team members, fostering a high-performing environment aligned with company policies and values.What you'll bring:Proven expertise in merchandise planning and category management for complex product lines.Strong financial forecasting skills, including budget development and sales inventory alignment.Advanced data analysis capabilities with proficiency in visualization tools to inform strategic decisions.Experience driving omni-channel customer-focused strategies based on demand trends and buying behaviors.Ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and influence category-level business plans and initiatives.Skilled in supporting vendor negotiations through financial insights and risk assessment.Demonstrated leadership in mentoring teams and fostering continuous improvement and innovation. At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see . Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart. The annual salary range for this position is $90,000.00 - $180,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include : - StockMinimum qualifications["Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field and 4 years’ experience in retail, merchandising, forecasting, or related area. OR 6 years’ experience in retail, merchandising, forecasting, or related area."]Preferred qualifications["Negotiating terms and costing", "Retail Link", "Profit and Loss (P&L) Responsibility", "Supervisory"]