Urban Outfitters: Associate Planner

Founded in 1970, Urban Outfitters (www.UrbanOutfitters.com) operates more than 200 stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe, all offering an eclectic mix of merchandise.  We stock our stores with what we love, calling on our—and our customer's—interest in contemporary art, music, and fashion.  From men's & women's apparel and accessories to items for the apartment, we offer a lifestyle-specific shopping experience for the educated, urban-minded individual in the 18 to 30 year-old range—both online and in our stores as well as through our catalog.

 

 

Title

Associate Planner

Reports to

Senior Planner / Planning Manager

 

 

Overview

To maximize sales by developing sound merchandise plans that support Company goals for sales, turn and margin.  Ensure the financial success of one or more departments by meeting or exceeding sales, gross margin, and inventory turn goals.  Analyze and revise the merchandise planning strategy based on current trend or actual performance on a monthly basis

 

Responsibilities

• Formulate guidelines for style and customer choices (style OTB) based on business analysis
• Monitor and evaluate sales of current styles on a weekly basis, partnering with the buyer and the Senior Planner / Planning Manager to effectively manage receipts and inventory
• Manage inventory levels needed to support the rate of sale taking into account sell-through percent, WOS, and planned product life span
• Develop markdown strategy for a merchandise area based on sell-through percent and planned product life span. This includes both redlines and promotional strategies
• Develop style-level plans based on current forecast, historic trend and test information for key items or attributes
• Conduct color-level planning based on the inventory need to support rate of sale, store presentation, targeted sell-through percent, and the current risk parameters and historical trends (long range goal)
• Work in synergy with Buyer and Allocation Analyst toward common goals for the merchandise area. Look to Senior Planner / Planning Manager for guidance on all areas of responsibility.

Qualifications

• Expert command of retail math concepts and applications
• Strong statistical analysis skills
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent organizational, prioritizing and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well within a team environment

 

Job Skills

• Must have 2-3 years of Retail Experience with 1-2 years merchandise planning experience

 

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion, Business, or a related field.

 

Location

Philadelphia, PA

 

Travel

Some travel required.