Associate Merchandise Planner

Associate Merchandise Planner

The Associate Planner acts as a business manager for specific categories/departments of merchandise across multiple channels and works as a partner to Omni-Merchants to build viable plans and profitable results. The Associate Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining sales and margin plans that tie to financial targets for their assigned categories or departments (across mainline, factory and direct channels) in order to maximize sales and profitability. This Associate Merch Planner will partner with the Merchandise Planning team to plan all components (retail, cost, units, margin, etc.) for specific categories/departments pertaining to class or item level in order to maximize sales and profitability.

Responsibilities:

• Assist Planner/Senior Planner in preparation of pre-season plans across multiple channels, consistent with the company's top-down goals, to be used in development of the merchandise strategies for the season and to support line development and buying needs.
• Work closely with Planner/Senior Planner and Omni-Merchants in reviewing in-season product trends in order to revise the season's plan with updated projections that maximize sales and profitability.
• Partner with Planner/Senior Planner to present monthly revisions of merchandise plans to Merchandise/Inventory Planning executives.
• Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities. Review and analyze business performance trends.
• Develop item plans as required within their department.
• Understand and forecast effects of markdowns on item sales rates and category/department profitability.
• Participate in all meetings involving the Merchandise Planning department (ex. MPC, Monday Merchandise Meetings).
• Provide fiscal control through management of markdowns and purchase orders.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of Omni-Planning tools and execute building plans at an item level that support top level goals.
• Enhance knowledge of data resources that are available and become familiar with the merchandise for which they are developing plans.
• Support team projects as needed; additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of previous merchandise planning experience, preferably in a specialty retail environment, or previous retail buying experience.
• Retail math knowledge preferred.
• Product knowledge of apparel and related merchandise.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.

Ref: #404-IT Pittsburgh