Merchandise Planner (Pottery Barn)

Williams Sonoma; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in home furnishings is seeking a strategic inventory management professional. This role involves planning and purchasing for company-owned stores, focusing on demand forecasting and inventory optimization. Candidates should have a degree and relevant experience in analytical roles, with strong Excel and PowerBI skills. Join a collaborative team to drive business initiatives and support brand objectives.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in analytical/strategic roles, preferably in retail.
• Strong technical skills in Excel and familiarity with PowerBI.
• Ability to understand and apply retail financial metrics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute demand forecasting and inventory management strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize inventory and maximize sales.
• Analyze business performance and trends to inform assortment plans.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Diploma/Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerBI

Job description

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States and Canada. Our brands include Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, and West Elm. We market our brands through retail stores, catalogs, and the internet. A key growth strategy is global expansion through company-owned stores, DTC channels, and strategic franchise partnerships.

This position is a strategic and analytical role within WSI’s Global Inventory Management team, responsible for planning and purchasing for company-owned stores and websites. The role involves developing and executing demand forecasting and inventory management strategies to optimize inventory, maximize sales and profitability, and support business initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet financial and brand objectives.

Pre-Season Responsibilities:

1. Partner with the merchant team to develop annual and seasonal financial plans supporting brand strategies.
2. Establish seasonal assortment plans at both top-down and SKU levels, ensuring optimal inventory balance aligned with sales and merchandising strategies.
3. Analyze business performance, SKU productivity, and trends to inform pre-season strategies and assortment plans.
4. Collaborate with merchants to resolve SKU issues impacting brand performance.
5. Ensure SKU plans are completed on time for PO placement and address any issues impeding this for core and seasonal products.
6. Manage placement and tracking of global purchase orders efficiently.

In-Season Responsibilities:

1. Review current business performance and collaborate with merchants to maximize sales, margins, and inventory productivity daily, weekly, and monthly.
2. Develop monthly rolling financial forecasts to support brand strategies and optimize sales and margins within inventory budgets.
3. Analyze inventory levels to support brand strategy, minimize stockouts, and ensure appropriate inventory flow for launches and core products.
4. Build promotional plans in partnership with merchants, including exit strategies and accurate monthly forecasts.
5. Manage seasonal promotional plans and SKU-level demand forecasts to maximize productivity and inventory optimization.
6. Oversee placement and tracking of purchase orders, resolving fallout issues collaboratively.
7. Identify opportunities for process and tool improvements proactively.
8. Coordinate with allocation, supply chain, logistics, and distribution teams to resolve supply chain issues and support promotional activities and seasonal events.

Ongoing Responsibilities:

1. Provide analytical reporting and insights.
2. Evaluate reports, tools, and processes for improvements and implement recommendations.
3. Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across merchandising, retail, marketing, and supply chain teams.
4. Contribute to a positive team environment.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Diploma/Degree with 2-5 years of experience in a role with analytical/strategic responsibilities; retail experience preferred.
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand and apply retail financial metrics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, V-Lookup, etc.) is essential.
• PowerBI experience is preferred.
• Meticulous, detail-oriented, with strong follow-through.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Good interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• International experience is a plus.

About the Company:

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a publicly traded American retail company specializing in kitchenware and home furnishings.

Notice:

Williams-Sonoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. For assistance, contact [e-mail] or call 407-000-0000.

All new hires must complete Form I-9 and provide proof of identity and employment eligibility. An AEDT will score your skills and responses, with details at www.talentify.io/bias-audit-report. NYC applicants may request alternative processes or accommodations via [e-mail] or 407-000-0000.