Merchandise Planner
A merchandise planner is a professional who forecasts consumer buying trends, plans inventory levels, and coordinates with buyers and suppliers to ensure that merchandise meets customer demand.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Merchandise Planner
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
A junior merchandise planner is responsible for supporting the merchandise planning process, including analyzing sales trends, managing inventory levels, and assisting with the development of merchandising strategies that align with the company's goals.
Required Skills
- Analytical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Data analysis
- Forecasting
- Inventory management
- Time management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Communication
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, fashion merchandising or related field
- Proficiency in retail mathematics and inventory management principles
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
- Familiarity with merchandise planning software and systems is a plus
Responsibilities
- Assist in the development of merchandise plans and forecasts that support company's sales and profit objectives
- Analyze sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and risks
- Maintain optimal inventory levels and ensure the timely replenishment of stock
- Collaborate with buying and allocation teams to manage product lifecycles and transitions
- Provide analytical support for promotional strategies and markdown management
- Participate in the assortment planning process to ensure product mix aligns with customer demand
- Support senior planners in the preparation of various reports and presentations for management
- Monitor competitive market landscape and provide insights for market share growth
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
The Merchandise Planner is a key role in the retail industry, responsible for analyzing inventory levels, customer demand, and sales trends to make informed decisions about product purchasing and inventory management. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset and the ability to work closely with both the buying and merchandising teams to ensure that the right products are available at the right time to meet customer needs.
Required Skills
- Analytical thinking
- Forecasting and planning
- Inventory management
- Strategic buying
- Knowledge of retail industry trends
- Data analysis
- Problem-solving
- Fluency in Microsoft Excel and/or other analytical tools
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Decision-making
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
- Proven experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or a similar role within the retail industry.
- Strong understanding of retail math and financial metrics.
- Proficiency in retail management systems and inventory planning software.
- Ability to analyze and interpret sales data to make informed purchasing decisions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans and forecasts.
- Analyze sales trends, historical data, and market analysis to anticipate product performance and adjust inventory levels accordingly.
- Collaborate with the buying team to align merchandise selection with customer preferences and sales goals.
- Manage Open-To-Buy (OTB) to optimize inventory levels and minimize markdowns.
- Execute markdown strategies to maximize profit and inventory turnover.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory, sales, and profitability.
- Provide recommendations to merchandising and buying teams on potential opportunities for growth or risk minimization.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
Seeking an experienced Merchandise Planner to oversee inventory levels and product strategy to maximize sales and profitability. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical background, deep understanding of market trends, and be skilled in inventory management.
Required Skills
- Expertise in retail math and inventory planning principles.
- Proficiency with planning software and advanced Excel skills.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Ability to think strategically and translate insights into action.
- Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Adaptability and flexibility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Retail Management, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in merchandise planning, demand forecasting, or a related role within the retail industry.
- Proven track record of success in developing and implementing merchandise financial plans.
- Strong knowledge of planning systems and retail metrics.
- Experience managing large and complex datasets.
- Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the company's overall objectives.
- Analyze sales trends, historical data, and market insights to forecast inventory needs and assess the performance of merchandise categories.
- Collaborate with the buying team to align inventory levels with sales plans, promotions, and seasonal trends.
- Monitor and adjust inventory levels to ensure a balance between excess stock and stockouts.
- Lead cross-functional teams in creating merchandise assortments that reflect customer preferences and brand positioning.
- Provide comprehensive reports to senior management on merchandise performance, inventory holdings, and sales forecasts.
- Stay informed of industry changes and competitive landscapes to adjust strategies accordingly.
- Guide and mentor junior planners in best practices, proper analysis techniques, and strategic thinking.
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