Merchandise Planner

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition.

They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar.

It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

BDA brings the world’s biggest brands to life through promotional merchandise. Fortune 500 companies come to us looking to connect with their consumers on an emotional level.

We create three-dimensional advertising that people invite into their homes, offices, cars and classrooms. We let people see, touch, feel, own and interact with a brand in a way no other marketing permits.

It’s what we like to call the Power of Merchandise.

We give our team members the creative freedom and foster the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to champion our clients’ branding goals utilizing cutting edge ideas.

Our people are our No. 1 asset, and we remain committed to making our company a great place to work for our team and family.

We take great pride in our company culture one that inspires teamwork, fun and excellence across our organization. We’re energetic people who love what we do churning out more than 50 million units each year for the world’s most admired brands in a fun, fast paced environment that rewards high achievement.

Qualifications :

• Minimum of 5 years purchasing or inventory management experience.
• Knowledge of demand forecasting, total cost analysis, and supply chain management fundamentals.
• Experience in retail planning highly preferred.
• Good organizational and time management skills with ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and to adapt to frequently changing priorities and critical deadlines.
• Strong aptitude for systems and technology- identifying requirements and rolling out new tools.
• Team player with experience working in a cross-functional environment.
• Professional demeanor, good judgment, common sense, and a passion for details.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and show initiative but awareness to get guidance when appropriate.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to evaluate situations, identify core issues, fact-find, and promote thoughtful business solutions.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Word and Excel.

Responsibilities :

• This position is under general supervision, reports to the Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Planning and is responsible for timely and accurate sales forecasting and inventory purchasing
• The Merchandise Planner will tightly partner with the replenishment analyst to ensure OTB parameters, in stock goals, and inventory goals are achieved.
• The Merchandise Planner will partner with the Program manager for assortment analysis, initial product buys, and to determine size of seasonal launches.
• The individual in this position must be resourceful, self starting, and assertive in the ownership of their responsibilities simultaneously developing and maintaining excellent working partnerships with the managers and employees, with whom they must work in order to be successful.
• The individual in this position must display a positive and energetic demeanor while working in a complex and dynamic business environment and must thrive under the pressures imposed by multi tasking and must be able to work with reasonable supervision.
• To be successful the individual in this position must be a team player, have excellent interpersonal skills, be very organized and detail oriented, and be able to deal effectively with frequently changing priorities and rapid response requirements.

This individual must have the ability to evaluate situations effectively, identifying basic issues, fact-finding, prioritizing, and suggesting thoughtful and well-rounded business solutions.

This position offers significant potential for individual learning and growth, as well as career opportunity

Principal Accountabilities

• Leadership demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.
• Work within cross functional teams to ensure goal alignment, ease of process, profitability, and ultimate customer satisfaction.
• Manage BDA inventory per set targets for the following inventory metrics : Key Driver In stock %, Active Item in stock %, Program Turn Targets, Gross Margin, WOS, SKU count, and Mark Down %.
• Partner with Program Manager on assortment strategy, analysis, and forecasting.
• Effectively manage category OTB to achieve Sales, Inventory Plan, In Stock %, and Profitability Targets
• Work closely with replenishment analyst to ensure constant flow of goods for customer sales
• Partner with purchasing specialist to ensure POs are placed timely and managed to meet needed delivery time.
• Continuously assess, analyze and evolve procurement processes and controls to increase results while creating greater ease of process. Drive implementation.
• Proactively seek out opportunities to develop personal skill set.

We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $85,000. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience.

In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer.

In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth.

The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs, which includes : robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits;

medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement.

Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.

Any travel involved? Limited

Any financial / budgetary responsibility? Yes

Strategic planning responsibilities? Yes

Number of staff reporting to this position. NA

BDA is more than a workplace - it’s a family. For more than three decades we’ve promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different.

The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise.