Senior Director, Planning and Allocation - WSS
Foot Locker, Gardena, CA, United States
Overview
The Senior Director of Planning & Allocation leads the end to end merchandise planning, inventory management, and allocation functions for WSS. This leader owns financial planning, demand forecasting, receipt flow, and store distribution strategies across footwear, apparel, and accessories. This role ensures inventory productivity, supports margin growth, and drives a customer-centric product experience across all stores and channels. It requires deep retail expertise, strong analytical capability, and the ability to influence cross functional partners at the executive level.
Responsibilities
Merchandise & Financial Planning Build and own top-down and bottom-up financial plans, including sales, margin, inventory, and turn targets. Lead seasonal and annual planning cycles, ensuring alignment with merchandising, finance, and executive leadership. Develop receipt flow strategies that support product launches, seasonal transitions, and store capacity constraints. Oversee open-to-buy management and ensure financial discipline across categories. Inventory Strategy & Optimization
Create and refine inventory strategies that maximize productivity, reduce markdown exposure, and support WSS's neighborhood-based store model. Oversee forecasting models that incorporate historical performance, trend insights, and regional demand patterns. Drive strategies for replenishment, safety stock, and lifecycle management to maintain optimal in-stock levels. Allocation Leadership
Direct the allocation function to ensure accurate, timely, and strategic product distribution across all stores. Establish store clustering, size curves, and allocation frameworks that reflect customer behavior and local market needs. Oversee allocation execution for key launches, promotional events, and seasonal floor sets. Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate closely with Merchandising to align financial plans with assortment intent and product strategies. Partner with Supply Chain and Distribution Centers to optimize product flow, reduce bottlenecks, and improve speed to floor. Work with Store Operations to understand store capacity, operational constraints, and local market nuances. Influence executive leadership with clear insights, scenario planning, and data-driven recommendations. Data, Systems & Reporting
Lead the evolution of planning and allocation tools, reporting dashboards, and analytics capabilities. Drive adoption of data-driven decision-making across planning and allocation teams. Monitor KPIs such as sell-through, turn, stock-to-sales, and margin, identifying risks and opportunities. Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of planners, allocators, and managers. Build organizational capability through training, process improvement, and talent development. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above 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.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
10+ years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, or inventory management within multi-store retail. 5+ years of leadership experience overseeing planning and/or allocation teams. Strong analytical and financial acumen, with expertise in forecasting, OTB, and inventory optimization. Experience with allocation and planning systems; advanced Excel and analytics skills. Proven ability to influence senior leadership and collaborate cross-functionally. Experience in footwear, apparel, or launch-driven retail environments. OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Experience in value-focused or community-based retail models. Familiarity with WSS's product categories and customer demographics. Experience with omnichannel inventory strategies and store clustering methodologies. Strategic leadership - Ability to set long-range planning and inventory strategies. Analytical depth - Strong command of data, forecasting, and financial modeling. Cross-functional influence - Skilled at aligning diverse teams around shared goals. Operational excellence - Ensures accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in planning and allocation processes. Customer-centric mindset - Understands local market needs and tailors inventory strategies accordingly. At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines:
Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews. AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience.
Benefits
The annual base salary range is $190k - $250k / year. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary for this position. This role is also eligible to receive short term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Salary will be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Salary is one component of the WSS total compensation package, which includes the below.
Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave Life, Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage - Individual and Family Plans Self-Development & Recognition Programs Bonus Incentive Program Advancement Opportunities 401k Retirement Plan and HSA Contributions 30%-50% Employee Discount - Friend & Family Events Community Engagement Opportunities
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
ABOUT WSS: WSS is the premier footwear retailer in the U.S. doing business in neighborhood-based stores. Consumers trust WSS for the best brands, greatest values and largest selection of athletic, dress, fashion and casual footwear for the entire family. Our large store format enables us to showcase thousands of styles from top name brands like Nike, Jordan, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Puma, Skechers, etc. In addition, WSS carries high quality private brands augmenting the breadth of selection to deliver amazing value to our customers.
The Senior Director of Planning & Allocation leads the end to end merchandise planning, inventory management, and allocation functions for WSS. This leader owns financial planning, demand forecasting, receipt flow, and store distribution strategies across footwear, apparel, and accessories. This role ensures inventory productivity, supports margin growth, and drives a customer-centric product experience across all stores and channels. It requires deep retail expertise, strong analytical capability, and the ability to influence cross functional partners at the executive level.
Responsibilities
Merchandise & Financial Planning Build and own top-down and bottom-up financial plans, including sales, margin, inventory, and turn targets. Lead seasonal and annual planning cycles, ensuring alignment with merchandising, finance, and executive leadership. Develop receipt flow strategies that support product launches, seasonal transitions, and store capacity constraints. Oversee open-to-buy management and ensure financial discipline across categories. Inventory Strategy & Optimization
Create and refine inventory strategies that maximize productivity, reduce markdown exposure, and support WSS's neighborhood-based store model. Oversee forecasting models that incorporate historical performance, trend insights, and regional demand patterns. Drive strategies for replenishment, safety stock, and lifecycle management to maintain optimal in-stock levels. Allocation Leadership
Direct the allocation function to ensure accurate, timely, and strategic product distribution across all stores. Establish store clustering, size curves, and allocation frameworks that reflect customer behavior and local market needs. Oversee allocation execution for key launches, promotional events, and seasonal floor sets. Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate closely with Merchandising to align financial plans with assortment intent and product strategies. Partner with Supply Chain and Distribution Centers to optimize product flow, reduce bottlenecks, and improve speed to floor. Work with Store Operations to understand store capacity, operational constraints, and local market nuances. Influence executive leadership with clear insights, scenario planning, and data-driven recommendations. Data, Systems & Reporting
Lead the evolution of planning and allocation tools, reporting dashboards, and analytics capabilities. Drive adoption of data-driven decision-making across planning and allocation teams. Monitor KPIs such as sell-through, turn, stock-to-sales, and margin, identifying risks and opportunities. Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of planners, allocators, and managers. Build organizational capability through training, process improvement, and talent development. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above 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.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
10+ years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, or inventory management within multi-store retail. 5+ years of leadership experience overseeing planning and/or allocation teams. Strong analytical and financial acumen, with expertise in forecasting, OTB, and inventory optimization. Experience with allocation and planning systems; advanced Excel and analytics skills. Proven ability to influence senior leadership and collaborate cross-functionally. Experience in footwear, apparel, or launch-driven retail environments. OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Experience in value-focused or community-based retail models. Familiarity with WSS's product categories and customer demographics. Experience with omnichannel inventory strategies and store clustering methodologies. Strategic leadership - Ability to set long-range planning and inventory strategies. Analytical depth - Strong command of data, forecasting, and financial modeling. Cross-functional influence - Skilled at aligning diverse teams around shared goals. Operational excellence - Ensures accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in planning and allocation processes. Customer-centric mindset - Understands local market needs and tailors inventory strategies accordingly. At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines:
Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews. AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience.
Benefits
The annual base salary range is $190k - $250k / year. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary for this position. This role is also eligible to receive short term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Salary will be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Salary is one component of the WSS total compensation package, which includes the below.
Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave Life, Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage - Individual and Family Plans Self-Development & Recognition Programs Bonus Incentive Program Advancement Opportunities 401k Retirement Plan and HSA Contributions 30%-50% Employee Discount - Friend & Family Events Community Engagement Opportunities
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
ABOUT WSS: WSS is the premier footwear retailer in the U.S. doing business in neighborhood-based stores. Consumers trust WSS for the best brands, greatest values and largest selection of athletic, dress, fashion and casual footwear for the entire family. Our large store format enables us to showcase thousands of styles from top name brands like Nike, Jordan, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Puma, Skechers, etc. In addition, WSS carries high quality private brands augmenting the breadth of selection to deliver amazing value to our customers.