Associate Merchandise Planner

Music & Arts; Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Merchandise Planner to bridge Merchandise Planning and Category Management. This hybrid role involves financial interpretation, planning, and operational support to optimize business outcomes. You will be responsible for developing detailed financial plans, maintaining rolling forecasts, and providing actionable insights through data reporting. Join a creative team that values respect and integrity, where your contributions will help musicians and non-musicians alike experience the joy of music. If you're ready to make a difference in the world of creativity and music, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

Mental Health Support

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Gig Leave

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in retail, merchandising, or allocation.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop financial plans that align with category strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Time Management Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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The Associate, Merchandise Planning is a hybrid role bridging Merchandise Planning and Category Management, supporting the achievement of financial and strategic objectives. Key responsibilities include financial interpretation, planning, forecasting, and operational support to optimize business outcomes.

Merchandise Planning Responsibilities:

• Financial Planning and Forecasting
• Sales, Margin, and Receipts Planning: Interpret and align financial targets by channel and dept.
• Bottoms-Up Merchandise Financial Plans: Develop detailed financial plans that support and align with category strategies.
• Rolling Forecasts: Maintain and update rolling forecasts at the department level in collaboration with Planners and Category Managers.
• Category and Operational Support
• Product Flow and Risk Mitigation: Review and analyze inventory flow to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Reporting and Analysis
  • Weekly and monthly performance metrics.
  • Special events and seasonal peak analysis.
  • Vendor performance and inventory updates.
• Data Reporting and Insights: Prepare and share actionable insights through regular and ad hoc reports, including:
• Ad Hoc Analysis: Provide data-driven support for strategic and tactical decision-making as needed.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communication Triage: Act as a point of contact to review, prioritize, and resolve internal communication requests through platforms such as email and internal tools.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Planners, Category Managers, and other stakeholders to support business initiatives and strategies.

Category Management Responsibilities:

• Price and Promotion Management
  • Prepare and update price change sheets for vendor cost updates, promotional price changes, and price list reviews.
  • Submit updates for approval to Category Managers and make revisions as needed.
• Category and Operational Support
• Complete and submit forms for item maintenance, price and promotion updates, and print special product order builds.
• Conduct Web Asset audits and collaborate with Category Managers to resolve issues and identify improvements.
• Field Communication and Issue Triage
  • Serve as the first point of contact for internal customer queries via tools like Merch email, Supportal, and B&O email groups.
  • Review, prioritize, and address requests appropriately.
• Reporting and Insights
• Compile and share insights through reports such as Negative Margin, Weekly Business Review support, and Vendor Performance monthly reports.

About Music & Arts:

Music & Arts embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity, and fulfilling our mission with passion.

Founded in 1952 in Bethesda, MD, Music & Arts has expanded nationwide through growth and acquisitions, now part of Guitar Center, with over 225 retail stores, 200 educational representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations.

Experience Needed:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related discipline.
• 3-5 years experience in retail, store operations, merchandising, or allocation.
• Attention to detail, analytical skills, organizational and time management skills.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills.
• Flexibility to handle evolving priorities and seasonal needs.
• Knowledge of MS Office is strongly desired.

Why Guitar Center?

We offer benefits like Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, mental health support, paid time off, employee discounts, and tuition reimbursement. For musicians, gig leave allows time off to perform and return to your role afterward.

Pay Rate: $50,000 - $60,000/year depending on experience.

Note: Compensation may vary based on experience, education, and location. Our goal is to help people find their sound and fill the world with music.

Interested?

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodations to apply, contact [e-mail].

Additional Details:

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Marketing and Sales