Executive Job Title	Merchandise Planner
Type of Registrant	Recruiter
Location	New Jersey
Industry & Function 1:	Retailing--AllTypes--Incl.ValueAdded-Tech-Distrib. - BUYING/MERCHANDISE-MANAGEMENT
Compensation	$100,000 to $200,000
Executive Job Description	The Planner is responsible for achieving sales and profit objectives for a merchandise category or categories, working in conjunction with one or more buying teams. This responsibility includes the development and successful execution of topside and detail financial plans, assortment/buy plan, and merchandise allocation strategies. The Planner supervises the activities of one or more allocators and is responsible for the development and training of these individuals. Purchasing, Allocation and Replenishment: Ensures best practices for assortment planning and makes recommendations to support allocation strategies. Provides analysis and research to support the creation of assortment/buy plans. Provides pertinent feedback to the allocator to support the development of store clusters and the implementation of allocation tables. Guides micro-merchandising strategies to optimally incorporate store profiles into the assortment and allocation processes. Participates/conducts the weekly allocation strategy/issues sessions. Evaluates purchase order placement activity as well as the maintenance of and revisions made to purchase orders. Partners with buyer to identify distribution and vendor logistics opportunities. Reviews case pack and order flow recommendations. Makes recommendations for fixture/square footage capacities based on research and analysis. Participates in handling store communications regarding allocations. Conducts analysis to measure allocation effectiveness. Aids in providing systems expertise for their area and coordinates recommendations for systems enhancement requests. Financial Planning: Coordinates and participates in the business review. Analyzes and recommends optimal vendor/store matrix and coordinates store input for vendor matrix development. Reviews class sales and receipt targets. Develops store level opportunity analysis. Reviews monthly flow of class level plans. Executes the formal topside plan review. Communicates topside goals to the stores. Develops class level plans in conjunction with the buyer(s). Provides systems expertise for their area. Partners with the divisional planner to coordinate potential systems and process enhancements. Adheres to the company's planning calendar. Open-to-Buy Monitoring: Quantifies and monitors the OTB. Analyzes inventory productivity (R2R/Aging) and recommends adjustments to business trends. Reviews and monitors merchandise financials and purchase journal. Analyzes aging/exit strategies. Identifies and recommends markdown projections. Analyzes factors relating to profitability. Pricing and Marketing: Develops and provides target markup/markdown analysis and guidelines. Participates in store visits as feasible. Facilitates the issuance of store ad set up/presentation guidelines. Makes recommendations and provides scenarios to determine price change strategies. Manages the financial review and approval of price changes. Evaluates and provides analysis of corporate marketing activity with primary focus on effectiveness. Merchandising: Analyzes and recommends merchandise strategy (to maximize sales and profitability). Develops strategic plan for category and breaks out by class/store cluster. Monitors and provides feedback from evaluating competition. Provides various scenarios to achieve sales and profit objectives. People Development: Manages development and staffing of allocators. Participates in skills training and development. Participates in team's activities and helps to support and develop a team environment. Participates in fostering job satisfaction and positive morale. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications: - College degree - Minimum three years experience in buying and/or planning capacity - Strong business and sophisticated financial analysis skills - Strong retail math acumen - Outstanding communication and presentation skills, geared toward results-oriented communication - Excellent computer skills - Strong leadership and team building skills, including mentoring, training, and development - Strategic thinking and active listening skills
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