Merchandise Planner

Job Description

The Role + Purpose

As a Planner, you’ll develop and execute the financial strategy for your department, partnering with Merchants and Allocators to optimize sales, margin, and inventory performance. You’ll use your analytical expertise to build financial plans, forecast results, and provide clear insights that influence business decisions. This role requires strong collaboration, the ability to synthesize data into actionable strategies, and the confidence to guide cross-functional partners toward achieving both short- and long-term goals.

Responsibilities:

Preseason

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• Partner with manager to develop pre-season financial strategy that connects to and supports total JCG goals
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• Build preseason sales, margin, and inventory plans by department and class using historical data and current trend insights
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• Develop bottoms-up style plan, in partnership with Merchandising, making recommendations on rank, depth of buy, and flow timing
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• Summarize tops-down vs. bottoms-up plans, incorporating key metrics such as markup, average unit cost, margin rate, available inventory, discount rates, and sell-through
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• Present preseason plans and financial recommendations during investment and line review meetings
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In Season

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• Provide weekly updates on sales, margin, and inventory performance versus forecast at both a high level and style level
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• Partner with Merchandising, Allocation, and Assortment Planning to make data-driven decisions that optimize product flow, pricing, and receipt management
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• Prepare in-season forecasts and lead monthly OTB meetings, recommending forecast adjustments based on trend analysis
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• Analyze sell-through and inventory-to-sales ratios, proposing pricing and promotional actions to maximize profitability
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• Partner with Merchandising on opportunities to chase into or adjust future on-order to maximize margin outcome
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Qualifications:

Required

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• Bachelor’s degree
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• 4+ years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, or financial analysis
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• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and Excel skills
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• Proven ability to translate data into insights and influence cross-functional partners
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong presentation abilities
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• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
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Preferred

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• Experience planning across multiple categories or channels
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• Advanced proficiency with planning tools and retail analytics systems
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• Demonstrated success managing OTB and seasonal investment strategies
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• Understanding of retail metrics such as sell-through, turn, and inventory-to-sales ratio
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*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.