Senior Planner - Apparel

Senior Merchandise Planner

The Senior Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing and executing merchandise plans that maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity across assigned brands or product categories. Working closely with Buying and Allocation teams, this role leverages data, forecasting, and business analysis to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and support strategic merchandising decisions. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, collaborative, and experienced in translating business insights into actionable inventory and financial plans.
Merchandise Planning & Forecasting

Develop pre-season sales, inventory, and margin plans that align with overall business objectives and category strategies
Build and maintain forecasts for sales, inventory, receipts, margin, and turnover based on historical performance and current business trends
Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans to maintain optimal inventory levels while supporting sales growth and profitability
Reforecast business performance regularly and adjust inventory strategies to respond to changing demand and market conditions
Manage ladder plans and key item forecasts to ensure appropriate inventory levels throughout seasonal selling periods
Business Analysis & Financial Management

Analyze business performance to identify sales opportunities, inventory risks, and profitability trends
Develop reporting and ad hoc analyses that support strategic planning and in-season business decisions
Monitor key retail metrics including sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, average unit retail (AUR), and stock productivity
Analyze size selling by market to optimize assortment and distribution strategies
Present business performance, forecasts, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional partners
Cross-Functional Partnership

Partner closely with Buyers to develop seasonal merchandise strategies and category growth plans
Collaborate with Allocation teams to ensure inventory is distributed effectively based on sales trends and business priorities
Identify emerging opportunities and risks at the store and category level, recommending appropriate actions
Support cross-functional initiatives that improve merchandising performance and operational efficiency
Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Lead special projects and strategic initiatives that improve planning processes and business performance
Mentor and support junior planning team members, sharing best practices and technical expertise
Drive process improvements through analytical insights and continuous evaluation of planning methodologies
Communicate business insights clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Qualifications

Required
High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred
5+ years of retail merchandise planning experience
Strong understanding of retail planning principles, inventory management, and financial forecasting
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience using reporting and business intelligence tools
Strong knowledge of Open-to-Buy (OTB), sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, AUR, and other retail planning metrics
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners
Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and adapt in a fast-paced retail environment
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field
Experience leading projects or mentoring junior planners
Experience working with retail planning systems and business intelligence platforms
Footwear, apparel, or specialty retail merchandising experience