Merchandise Planner

Merchandise PlannerThis position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Merchandise Planner based in United States.As a Merchandise Planner, you will own merchandise planning across multiple product categories, with direct responsibility for demand forecasting, open-to-buy management, and inventory optimization. You will partner closely with merchandising teams to translate data, market trends, and customer insights into commercial decisions. The role combines financial analysis, retail analytics, and strategic planning in a lean, fast-moving environment. You will lead planning cadences and Open-to-Buy reviews while keeping sales, margin, and inventory objectives on track. Your recommendations will directly influence assortment decisions, inventory investment, replenishment, and financial performance. The position offers significant autonomy, cross-functional exposure, and end-to-end ownership of assigned divisions. You will also build practical fluency with AI tools as part of a modern, data-driven planning workflow.Accountabilities:Develop comprehensive merchandise plans for multiple product categories, aligning sales targets, inventory objectives, business priorities, and market trends.Own and lead Open-to-Buy planning, reviews, and monthly business discussions with senior leadership.Forecast demand using historical performance, market trends, customer insights, and other relevant data to inform inventory and replenishment strategies.Monitor inventory levels, sell-through rates, and product performance, recommending actions to improve inventory turnover and reduce stock-outs or excess inventory.Analyze sales, margin, profitability, and other financial indicators, translating findings into clear recommendations for merchandising and leadership teams.Manage the financial performance of assigned divisions against sales, margin, and inventory-turn targets.Ensure planning reports and recurring deliverables are accurate, efficient, consistent, and aligned with established best practices.Identify opportunities beyond routine planning activities that could increase sales potential or improve commercial performance, and communicate them through clear, data-driven recommendations.Build strong cross-functional partnerships with merchandising and other stakeholders, influencing decisions through concise analysis and effective presentations.Requirements:3+ years of assortment, demand, or merchandise planning experience, including at least 2 years within a retail or e-commerce environment.Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with excellent retail mathematics skills and the ability to interpret commercial and financial data.Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and comparable analytical functions, along with the ability to quickly learn new technical applications.Strong written, verbal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to make complex information concise and actionable for different audiences.Demonstrated ability to build trusted cross-functional relationships and influence stakeholders involved in merchandising and business decisions.Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and changing business requirements in a fast-paced environment.Demonstrated daily experience using AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or similar platforms for practical work, including iterating prompts, critically evaluating outputs, and identifying appropriate use cases for AI.Preferred experience in softgoods or apparel planning and/or managing a mixed-brand product assortment.Familiarity with demand planning, allocation, and forecasting platforms such as JDA, Oracle, SAP, or Anaplan is an advantage.Benefits:Competitive compensation based on experience and role requirements.Paid time off policies.401(k) plan with company match.Medical, dental, and vision insurance.Supplemental insurance and other benefits.Employee discounts across a portfolio of brands.Remote work opportunity within the United States, with a hybrid option available in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.Significant ownership and autonomy over assigned merchandise divisions.Direct cross-functional impact on buying, inventory, and financial decisions.Opportunities to develop modern AI capabilities through daily use of AI-enabled planning tools.A collaborative, fast-moving environment designed for individuals who enjoy ownership, experimentation, and measurable impact.