Merchandise Planner I

SUMMARY

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for owning planning, forecasting, and the open to buy process for a given shop. This includes the development and preparation of merchandise pre-season financial plans, merchandise in-season financial forecasts, assortment plans, ladder plans, buy plans, open to buy and ad hoc analysis.

This person is also a key member of the Category Management Team providing recommendations consistent with company inventory and financial goals .

The Merchandise Planner is the owner of the open to buy process : manager of all inputs of Sales, Margin, Receipts and Inventory for assigned area.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Responsible for construction, development and management of financial plans : both pre-season and in-season.
• Resolve issues around open to buy including : forecast accuracy, sell-thru, inventory concerns, selling velocity, markdown management, and any other business driving challenges.
• Provide recommendations and feedback during the assortment planning process by analyzing article / program performance, strategizing how the buy fits into the assortment plan, and ensuring the right stores will receive the product.
• Analyze basic and fashion purchases doing post-season analysis, price point reviews, and inventory flow reviews to inform future purchases.
• Store performance analysis that drives recommendations for assortment changes and / or store re-profiling. This includes a deep dive of item / store combinations to determine how to increase sales, margin dollars and inventory productivity
• Develop and present financial / strategy documents to senior leadership that articulates the vision of the Category Management Team in conjunction with cross functional partners.

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES

Drives Performance

Strategic Planning and Analysis

Business Acumen

Analytical Capability

Communication and Relationship Building

Teamwork

Experience with MS Office programs, specifically Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint

Experience with inventory management : merchandising and planning functions

Knowledge of replenishment, forecasting, and allocation fundamentals

Functional experience with retail business systems; Preferred experience with SAP, JDA, Enterprise Planning or similar Inventory Management software

Team player with excellent communication skills, knowledge of retail industry, analytical skills, financial acumen, independent decision making, problem identification, and resolution skills

Ability to execute initiatives and balance priorities, results driven and sales focused, organized with an ability to prioritize a variety of tasks

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Education Minimum : Bachelors degree in Major-Finance / Accounting, Marketing, Merchandising, Business, Statistics, Logistics, Economics or related field

Experience Minimum : 3-5 year's experience in field or retail with a focus on merchandising, financial analysis, replenishment, forecasting, allocation, merchandise planning, store operations, and supply chain management.

Experience Preferred : Supervisory experience is preferred

This position will be located at :

5555 Darrow Road Hudson, OH 44236

Eligibility for benefits and incentives is dependent upon employment status. JOANN offers the following benefits and incentives to eligible Team Members :

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefit plans
• Company-paid basic, Optional, and Dependent life insurance
• Long-term disability and Company-paid Short-term disability
• Paid Time Off and Sick Time
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Team Member Discount
30+ days ago