MERCHANDISE PLANNER - Outlet Stores

Overview:

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for the strategic direction of inventory based on analysis of store financials, historical data, and current market trends, as well as the planning and analyzing of the company's inventory to ensure the proper flow of merchandise to the correct stores at the correct time.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute and communicate strategic merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the merchandising and financial objectives of the Company.
• Create preseason sales, margin and inventory plans by department classes that support product and financial strategies.
• Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by department and class.
• Collaborate with merchandising to develop and communicate strategies that align future financial and product opportunities in the area.
• Forecast in-season sales and inventories on a weekly basis.
• Develop and communicate item-level promotional and markdown strategies on a weekly basis for the outlet exclusives
• Recap and analyze actual sales results against plan and LY.
• Work with Merchants and Sourcing to effectively manage flow of inventory of the outlet exclusives into the warehouse.
• Plan out open stock levels and merchandise mixes
• Ensure the correct flow of merchandise and monitor inventories.
• Distribute merchandise in preparation for new store openings
• Trace and monitor merchandise movement
• Create and maintain a comprehensive pricing strategy for the entire outlet division
• Assist in managing all the pricing within the new Outlet Pricing Architecture.
• Includes all chain departments as well as outlet exclusives for Initial, markdown, clearance and liquidation prices.
• Assist in managing the entry of outlet promotions with store communications
• Assist in managing the inventory level of each outlet store to assure that the optimal mix of exclusive, chain product and NGF product is established.
• Produce and communicate daily margin reporting
• Develop an OTB by occasion of use ( WTW, Casual, Ready To Wear and Accessories)
• Collaborate with merchandising to develop and communicate strategies that align future financial and product opportunities in the area.

Required Skills

Qualifications:

• 3 – 5 years of Merchandise Planning or related financial/analytical experience
• Business analysis and strategic/innovative thinking skills
• Understanding of retail financial measurements
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities
• Strong listening, written and oral communication skills
• Able to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Advanced skills in Excel, Arthur Planning experience a plus.