Merchandise Planning Director or Manager

Our client is a growing mall based specialty Retailer. If you are interested in a fast paced, fun, exciting, and fashionable industry and have a dynamite Planning background...then please apply to the position below!

 

SUMMARY

The role of the Planning Director/Manager is to be a key business partner with the VP/DMM. Develop or direct the development of divisional top down financial targets and ensure those targets are met. This includes coordinating the inventory management efforts of the planning team members in order to deliver results in sales, markdown, and margin. Additionally, the Planning Director/Manager identifies and initiates the removal of roadblocks that hinder the execution and achievement of business objectives by collaborating with cross-functional teams.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

 

? Develop and manage divisional preseason and in season Top Down financial plans and forecasts in alignment with assortment strategies.

? Initiate risk assessments and opportunity analysis to drive revenue and margin with analysis of sales, markdowns and margin results by class, dept, division or any combination thereof.

? Establish markdown strategies to maximize sell through, margin and assortment freshness by reviewing with planners? proposals for promotional and or clearance activity for a class, dept, division, store/s or any combination thereof.

? Challenge inventory levels that are out of balance, or do not support planning objectives by providing direction to analyze and develop appropriate inventory management approaches to drive business for stores.

? Partner with buying, allocation and logistic teams to maximize consistency of product flow for both up and down stream.

? Provide leadership and coaching to planning team through execution of business plans.

? Conduct monthly post mortems and document recommendations in order to identify successful and unsuccessful planning objectives.

? Define objectives and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with senior management, merchandising, visuals, logistics, operations and other cross-functional teams.

? Develop best practices and tools for planning execution by identifying process, or business obstacles that interfere with planning objectives.

? Establish and refine collaborative processes and systems with cross-functional partners to ensure team execution of business plans.

? Proactively manage changes in planning demands, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans.

? Identify and resolve issues and conflicts within the planning team.

? Review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems and develop strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems.

? Prepare and deliver recommendations, or alternatives that address existing and potential trouble areas in the merchandising/allocation systems.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

? Effectively train, coach, organize, support and manage planning staff.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

? 5 years or equivalent work experience in a Planning Manager or Director capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution.

? Multiple retail environment experience preferred in Planning Director candidate.

? Excellent understanding of the planning organization?s goals and objectives.

? Excellent understanding of product life cycle and knowledge of how to optimize business results to minimize risk.

? Experience at working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential.

? Ability to influence without authority and elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including upper management and other departments.

? Can conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

? Excellent analytical, mathematical, and creative business problem-solving skills with ability to conduct research into systems issues as required.

? Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

? Reacts to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently.

? Strong interpersonal skills with ability to defuse tension among project team, should it arise.

? Flexible during times of change.

? Highly self motivated and directed.

? Logical and efficient.

? Keen attention to detail.

? Persuasive, encouraging, and motivating.

? Must be able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.