Merchandise Planner Opportunity at Womens' Specialty Retailer

Position Statement:The Merchandise Planner is responsible for identifying business risks & opportunities and propose solutions to maximize sales and margin objectives. In partnership with the buyer & divisional merchandising manager, formulate & execute strategies to achieve the division/department/product planned sales, margin & inventory turn goals.  Essential Position Responsibilities:·  Facilitate the development of an assortment plan with the buyer by providing class-level & product grouping (attributes) reporting.  Using these reports, present analysis & make assortment recommendations to merchants & senior management based upon historically observed trends.·  Develop & provide appropriate ad-hoc business analysis & recommendations to influence future purchases & assortment strategies.·  Provide accurate & timely reporting information (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually) to the merchant teams to facilitate business discussions & strategy development.·  Manage & maintain weekly department financial forecasts (OTB management), incorporating current business trends.  Forecasts encompass key financial metrics - sales, margin, markdowns, inventory, etc.·  Create Key Item/Basics product (style/color) plans to maximize sales & inventory turn for individual items.·  Construct & execute product promotional plans to leverage key marketing initiatives.·  Manage inventory through the effective use of weekly markdowns.  Communicate weekly markdown strategy to merchants & senior management.