Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner is key business partner with Buyer and Sr Buyers to ensure achievement of department goals in terms of sales, gross margin and inventory.

• Provide Buyer/Sr Buyer with analysis and recommendation to optimize sales, margin and inventory, in season recommendations to optimize seasonal plans
• Ensure corporate inventory initiatives are included in dept strategies
• Optimize seasonal inventory flow
• In season management and execution of basic assortment exit strategies for resets
• Partner with Financial Planner to develop and execute SKU rationalization goals

• Use MFP (Michaels Financial Planning) to create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans at subclass level for seasonal and trend programs
• Owns MFP administration for seasonal and basic plans
• Incorporates correction of errors
• Recommend "wave breaks" for seasonal flow
• Recommend optimal inner and master packs
• Partner with pricing and Buyer/Sr Buyer to make appropriate in season MD recommendations for seasonal and trend product
• Evaluate forward buys on market deals and other opportunities
• Develop and adhere to critical timelines

• Ensure assortments are completed within specific time frames
• Participate in assortment plan review with category mgt team for seasonal and SBA assortments by analyzing historical information, and make appropriate recommendations
• Develop and implement MD strategy following reset financial timeline
• Implement order placement timing for new product with Buyer/Sr Buyer and replenishment team
• Monitor progress of reset activities and integrate into MFP sales, margin and inventory forecast
• Update finance partner on any activities that would require updating reset financials
• BS or equivalent
• Business, retail or related field

• Microsoft Office literate, especially Excel

• 3+ years in retail
• Numerical analysis and project management experience

• Ability to work comfortably on unstructured problems/tasks
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and time constraints

• 2+ years in retail planning or allocation preferred

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

• Associate

• Full-time

• Finance and Strategy/Planning

• Retail