Merchandise Planner

Job Description

Job Description

We are searching for a Merchandise Planner for our apparel client. The Merchandise Planner is a key member of the planning, merchandising and sales organization, responsible for developing and executing seasonal buying strategies, managing open-to-buy and pre-season budgets, and identifying opportunities for optimizing inventory across channels. This role bridges buying, merchandising, and analytics — ensuring the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities to drive sell-through and profitability.

Responsibilities

Buying & Assortment Planning

• Develop and execute seasonal buying plans built from bottoms-up rollups, aligned with brand strategy and sales targets
• Manage open-to-buy (OTB) budgets across categories to maximize sell-through and minimize excess inventory
• Partner with sales, design, and brand teams to curate an assortment that reflect customer profiles and market trends
• Identify and pursue opportunities for in-season buys, replenishments, and discount strategies

Merchandising

• Analyze sales performance, margin, and sell-through data to inform assortment decisions and future planning
• Collaborate with sales to develop compelling product presentations and line sheets for wholesale accounts
• Monitor competitive landscape and retail trends to ensure the assortment remains market-relevant
• Support the development of markdown and promotional strategies to clear slow-moving inventory
• Coordinate product availability timelines with sales to align on delivery windows and launch calendars

Inventory Management

• Develop and manage replenishment strategies for core and continuity programs
• Coordinate with warehouse, logistics, and operations teams to ensure accurate inventory tracking and timely order fulfillment
• Manage transfer order creation and inventory receipt reconciliation in NetSuite, serving as the internal point of accountability for system accuracy across the supply chain

Reporting & Analytics

• Build and maintain weekly, monthly, and seasonal reporting on sell-through, revenue, OTB, and account performance
• Present data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional partners
• Develop forecasts and scenario plans to support buying decisions and financial target-setting
• Track KPIs against plan and communicate variances with clear action plans
• Leverage AI and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Claude) to create scalable reporting frameworks

What Success Looks Like

• Timely and trusted reporting for cross-functional partners who rely on your dashboards and recaps to make decisions
• Clear and proactive communication with cross-functional partners ensuring all teams are aligned on risks, opportunities, and execution priorities
• Forecasts are accurate and inventory receipts align closely with demand, reducing costly surprises
• Buying decisions are data-driven — assortment choices are backed by clear sell-through, margin, and trend analysis
• Cross-functional partners want to work with you — sales, ops, and finance see you as a strategic asset, not just a numbers person

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in wholesale planning, merchandise planning or a related retail planning role
• NetSuite experience along with wholesale order management platforms (e.g., NuOrder)
• Experience managing open-to-buy budgets and working within structured planning cycles
• Strong understanding of in-season inventory management, including sell-through, weeks of supply, and inventory flow
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, basic modeling); experience with planning or BI tools a plus
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with Planning, Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Production teams
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn and take ownership

Salary Range $90-100K