Inventory Planner

We are currently seeking an Inventory Planner to join our Orchard Brands team at our Middleton, MA office.

As an Inventory Planner, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of inventory management. This includes, pre-season planning for future merchandise buys, based on historical demand trends plu in-season forecasting and inventory control to keep inventory within budgeted parameters.

This is a highly collaborative role which connects all areas of our business from Merchandising and Marketing all the way to Sourcing and Vendor engagement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages department, category and item level Demand and Receipt Plans for their areas of responsibility.
• Creates accurate item level forecasts using our inventory planning software (Forecast 21) and historical reporting tools (BI / excel) that reconcile to topline Budget Category and Department Plans.
• Reconciles bottoms up item level plans to meet category, offer and seasonal budgets.
• Manages item-level forecasts to color / size (sku) level based on history and / or comparable items. Responsible for planning demand and inventory for all size concepts (Missy / Petite / Women’s).
• Presents detailed item demand, margin and receipt plans and strategies, for their areas of responsibility, to SLT in quarterly Buy Review meetings.
• Collaborates with Merchandising, Sourcing and Transportation to identify opportunities with fabrics, minimums, and container loads to improve service and reduce costs.
• Uses intuition, experience, and historical data while analyzing current and past business results to adjust and adapt forecasts and buy plans accordingly.

Collaborates with Merchandise Buyers for product strategies.

• Responsible for delivering department goals including catalog in-stocks, backorder levels, cancels, sold-outs, inventory turns, Gross Margin and inventory sell through %.
• Monitors catalog and internet results for forecast variances and updates in-season demand plans to reflect sales trends and reforecasts items / catalogs accordingly.

Communicates discrepancies and action plans to cross- functional partners and manager, including chase opportunities and PO cancellation or delivery extension needs.

• Reviews future omni marketing & catalog plans to determine appropriate levels of inventory for each item.
• Proofs catalog copy for color, size, and pricing accuracy as well as anticipated availability of product in-stock.
• Assigns products and pricing to in-season Sale Books and Online promotions to manage excess inventory levels.
• Evaluates overstock inventory levels and recommends in-season markdown pricing in multi-channel vehicles as well as end of life move to liquidation.

Participates in monthly markdown meetings.

Manages the Purchase order lifecycle, including initial PO creation, any cost & quantity maintenance, and delivery date monitoring through arrival at the EDC, to manage customer expected dates.

Ensures that systems and teams are updated accordingly. Collaborates with Sourcing, Transportation, Domestic Vendors, and the EDC to resolve issues.

• Communicates to Merchandising any PO delivery variances that might impact business, including early receipts as an opportunity to set up product on Web ahead of Catalog in-home dates and / or PO cancellations or lates that require removal of products from future catalogs and promotions.
• Collaborates with Customer Service on phone upsell opportunities for excess inventory and substitutes for out-of-stock items.
• Performs and manages workload within the determined Corporate Master Calendar to meet deadlines.
• Performs adhoc reporting and analysis, as well as additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field or 3-5 years of related experience / training or a combination of education and experience in an omni-channel retail or consumer goods environment.
• Analytical thinker who understands retail math concepts with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, and Word, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and complex formulas.
• Experience with Direct Tech’s Forecast 21 software, CWDirect, BI / Datamart, Access and SQL a plus.
• Must be a Team Player with strong communication and presentation skills to help represent the Inventory team.
• Proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines, in a fast-paced environment.

Bluestem Brands combines Fingerhut, a fintech company, and Orchard Brands a direct-to-consumer retailer of fashion. Bluestem is headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN and employs employees throughout the country.

Orchard Brands is a portfolio of four lifestyle apparel brands including Blair, Draper's & Damon's, Appleseed’s, and Haband.

Orchard Brands provides lifestyle apparel through a diversified multi-brand portfolio, delivering a direct-to-consumer experience with exclusive fits, assortment and value.

We provide clothing designed for every day and any occasion to ensure our customers have wardrobe solutions that fit their life across our brands, including : Blair, providing the perfect fit for your style, budget and you since our founding in 1910 in Warren, Pennsylvania () Appleseed’s, providing classics you can count on since our founding in 1946 in Beverly, Massachusetts () Draper’s & Damon’s, which has helped make every entrance count since 1927 in Pasadena, California (), and Haband (), which has been delivering comfort and style at a great low price for over 90 years.

At Orchard, you will find responsive and supportive leaders who empower our employees, knowing they drive our success. We are continually innovating and improving, challenging ourselves to take risks, learn from mistakes, and celebrate success as a team.

We also grow careers - giving employees on-the-job stretch assignments, lateral moves to expand their knowledge base, and promotional opportunities that help accelerate their career development.

Join our Orchard Brands Team to be inspired, make an impact, and feel valued every day.