Associate Merchandise Planner

Role Overview

The Associate Merchandise Planner operates within the merchandising and inventory planning function, focused on guaranteeing timely product availability by forecasting demand, managing inventory, and aiding financial planning. This role serves as a vital connector between Merchandising, Inventory Planning, Demand Planning, and Vendors to achieve sales goals and maintain inventory efficiency.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop brand-level budgets and inventory strategies prior to each season through collaboration with inventory directors, merchants, and vendors.
• Manage monthly Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans including sales forecasts, margin objectives, inventory, and receipt scheduling; reconcile OTB data with demand planning systems and report insights in cross-team meetings.
• Coordinate with demand planners to align forecasts, updating inventory and sales assumptions based on performance trends.
• Formulate sales and inventory forecasts for new brand introductions, plan SKU order flow, and assess post-launch product performance.
• Conduct in-season analysis covering sales trends, inventory status, promotions, and retrospective evaluations of seasonal initiatives to identify improvement opportunities.
• Advise on product assortment optimization by recommending discontinuations or reductions and assist in liquidation strategies for surplus stock.
• Maintain communication with vendors on supply and performance issues; collaborate with merchandising and planning teams for inventory decision-making and escalate risks for critical launches.
• Support planning assistants by prioritizing key orders and ensuring precise execution of planning procedures.

Key Skills

• Expertise in Microsoft Excel and Office suite, comfortable with forecasting and inventory systems.
• Strong analytical capabilities including data interpretation, demand forecasting, inventory analytics, and financial problem-solving.
• Effective written and verbal communication with ability to clearly present data insights.
• Excellent time management, adaptability to multitask in dynamic environments, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Collaborative approach working across merchandising, finance, and supply chain teams.

Experience & Education

Requires at least 4 years of experience in merchandising, retail or inventory planning, preferably holding a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, or a related discipline. Prior work in fast-paced retail or consumer goods sectors is advantageous.

Work Environment

• Predominantly desk-based with virtual team meetings.
• Position offered remotely with potential hybrid arrangements under consideration.
• May require occasional evening or weekend commitments around key deadlines.
• Some travel may be necessary.