Apparel Merchandise Planner - Growth & Inventory Strategy

Insight Global; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking a Merchandise Planner to support the Apparel division of a major national retailer. You will partner with buyers, category teams, vendors, and replenishment partners to drive sales, inventory, margin, and assortment strategies across apparel categories.

This role suits someone with a strong background in merchandise planning, buying, or category management who enjoys using data to influence decisions and optimize product performance.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in merchandise planning or category management in a large retail environment.
• Experience collaborating with vendors, buyers, and merchandising teams.
• Background in apparel, fashion, seasonal merchandise, or related consumer retail categories.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel experience.
• Ability to interpret data and provide actionable business recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage financial plans including sales, markdowns, gross margin, inventory turnover, and forecasting.
• Partner with buyers to build category strategies and growth opportunities.
• Create and maintain assortment plans and allocation strategies across store formats.
• Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, and market conditions to drive planning decisions.
• Reforecast in-season performance and recommend actions to improve results.
• Support advertising, merchandising, and product presentation strategies to maximize sales.
• Manage open-to-buy processes and communicate planning updates to stakeholders.
• Analyze seasonal and fashion categories to inform future assortment and planning strategies.
• Work with replenishment and inventory teams to optimize store and warehouse inventory levels.
• Develop markdown forecasts and reporting to support inventory management initiatives.
• Determine planogram minimums using store volume analytics and partner feedback.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Vendor collaboration

Excel

Tools

Excel

Job description

Insight Global is seeking a Merchandise Planner to support the Apparel division of a major national retailer. You will partner with buyers, category teams, vendors, and replenishment partners to drive sales, inventory, margin, and assortment strategies across apparel categories.

This role suits someone with a strong background in merchandise planning, buying, or category management who enjoys using data to influence decisions and optimize product performance.