Category Planning Manager

About Stio

Stio® is a multi-channel mountain lifestyle brand headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming, offering thoughtfully designed, functional apparel, footwear, and accessories inspired by the Teton Range. Our products are sold via our website, catalogs, B2B channels, and Mountain Studio® retail locations. We are passionate about mountain life and committed to environmental stewardship through partnerships with conservation initiatives and responsible sourcing practices, including the use of Bluesign® approved materials.

We value inclusivity and strive to make the outdoors accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability.

Role Overview

The Category Planning Manager will own the strategic planning and execution of style-level sales and inventory plans to maximize revenue, optimize stock levels, and improve margins. This role involves leveraging historical data, current sales trends, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to manage pre-season buy decisions and in-season inventory management for assigned product categories. Reporting to the Director of Inventory Planning, the CPM will also lead forecasting, monthly analytics reviews, and pricing strategy development.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement pre-season item-level sales and inventory plans aligned with historic results, merchandising goals, and financial objectives.
• Conduct in-season re-forecasting and ad hoc analyses to identify inventory risks or opportunities, ensuring consistency with monthly channel-level targets.
• Analyze and report monthly sales performance versus plans and prior year, presenting insights and action plans to cross-functional teams.
• Prepare presentations and communicate category strategies during Open-to-Buy meetings.
• Collaborate with Product teams on line creation, providing data-driven insights to help meet financial and KPI expectations.
• Manage purchasing for styles, colors, and sizes to support multiple sales channels.
• Develop pricing and markdown strategies to optimize sales and margin while meeting sell-through goals, coordinating execution with Inventory Planning.
• Oversee inventory availability across sales channels, coordinating with marketing and channel leaders to ensure inventory optimization.
• Maintain the SKU Master database, including creation of new SKUs and lifecycle management.
• Continuously seek improvements in current processes, tools, and meetings.
• Collaborate actively with cross-functional teams to drive shared business results.
• Commit fully to the company's mission, vision, and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, engineering, economics, operations management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years' professional experience in planning, finance, or supply chain analysis.
• Strong understanding of financial metrics such as sales, gross margin, return rates, inventory turnover, sell-through, and their impact on business performance.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to convert data insights into practical recommendations and workflows.
• Proficient in advanced Excel functions including pivot tables, charts, and formulas like SUMIF and VLOOKUP.
• Experience working with planning software; Toolio experience preferred.
• Exceptional critical thinking abilities and a drive for continuous improvement and results.
• Dependable, organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and a collaborative team player.
• High energy with a focus on achieving impactful improvements and change.
• Flexible to handle a variety of ad-hoc reporting and analytical requests.
• Strong prioritization skills to deliver quality work on time.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

• Position requires sitting for approximately 75% of the workday.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans available.
• Company-paid long-term disability coverage.
• Employee assistance programs offered.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off policies.
• Employee perks include gear testing and other benefits.

Compensation

We offer a competitive salary package with base pay ranging between $70,000 and $85,000 annually, complemented by incentives and benefits. Actual salary will be based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stio is committed to equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including minorities, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.