Associate Merchandise Planner

Aeropostale; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care (medical, dental, vision)

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off programs starting with minimum 15 days

Flexible work schedule

Employee discount program

Job summary

A leading retail company in New York is seeking an Associate Merchandise Planner to manage inventory based on financial analysis and current market trends. The ideal candidate will have 2-4 years of experience in merchandise planning and strong analytical skills. Responsibilities include executing merchandise financial plans, analyzing trends, and developing promotional strategies. This role offers a hybrid work environment and benefits including health care and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-4 years of Merchandise Planning or related financial/analytical experience.
• Global business analysis and strategic thinking skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to present data & influence discussion with executives, peers and members of cross-functional team.
• Understanding of retail financial measurements.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities.
• Strong listening, written and oral communication skills.
• Able to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Micro-strategy & planning tools/systems.
• Travel may be required, based on business needs.
• Adhere to regular in-office presence, including to engage in in-person team interaction, meetings and collaboration. Job duties may be performed effectively using the hybrid work program designated by the company.
• Must have authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Execute strategic merchandise financial plans.
• Create pre-season sales and inventory plans.
• Analyze historical data and current trends.
• Aware of chase/commit calendar. Partner with merchandising & manager to provide sales trend direction & inventory projections for call dates.
• Develop item-level promotional and markdown strategies on a weekly basis; ensure accuracy of system entry.
• Present forecasts and action plans in open-to-buy meetings; lead discussions with cross-functional teams.
• Hindsight in-season & post-season performance by category; share findings with cross functional teams.
• Run & publish weekly & ad hoc Merchandise Planning reports.
• Work with all levels of Planning & Merchandising from Assistants to President-CMO.

Skills

Merchandise Planning

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Deadline management

Excel

BI tools

Travel willingness

Hybrid work

Tools

Micro-strategy

Planning tools/systems

Planning tools/systems

Job description

11 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, USA

Job Description

Posted Monday, October 13, 2025 at 4:00 AM

Associate Merchandise Planner is responsible for the strategic direction of inventory based on analysis of departmental financials, historical data, and current market trends. They will manage inventory through the use of various merchandise reporting tools, ensuring top sales are being met.

Position Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities: #LI-DNI

• Execute and communicate strategic merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the merchandising and financial objectives of the Company.
• With guidance, create pre-season sales, margin and inventory plans by department, class, and/or SKU to support product and financial strategies. Review with manager.
• Analyze historical data and current trends to recap business. Work to identify risks and opportunities by department and by class. In partnership with manager, create strategies to align inventory with Merchant partners.
• Aware of chase/commit calendar. Partner with merchandising & manager to provide sales trend direction & inventory projections for call dates.
• Develop item-level promotional and markdown strategies on a weekly basis. Partner with Merchandising & Merch Control to accuracy of system entry.
• Present forecasts and action plans in open-to-buy meetings. In partnership with manager, create action plan based on forecast and lead discussions to management & cross functional teams.
• Hindsight in-season & post-season performance by category. Share findings with cross functional teams.
• Run & publish various weekly & ad hoc Merchandise Planning reports.
• Work with all levels of Planning & Merchandising from Assistants to President-CMO.

Position Requirements

• Minimum of 2-4 years of Merchandise Planning or related financial/analytical experience.
• Global business analysis and strategic/innovative thinking skills.
• Ability to present data & influence discussion with executives, peers and members of cross-functional team.
• Understanding of retail financial measurements.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities.
• Strong listening, written and oral communication skills.
• Able to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Micro-strategy & planning tools/systems.
• Travel may be required, based on business needs.
• Adhere to regular in-office presence, including to engage in in-person team interaction, meetings and collaboration. Job duties may be performed effectively using the hybrid work program designated by the company.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor as the company retains the right to change duties to this position.
• Must have authorization to work in the United States.

Pay and Benefits

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to position offered and work experience. In addition to your salary, Catalyst Brands offers a benefits package, including health care (medical, prescription, dental, vision), company paid life insurance and long term disability, 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off programs starting with minimum 15-days based on role, overtime pay (if hourly), flexible work schedule, and a generous employee discount program (all benefits are based on eligibility). Additional information regarding the benefits for this position can be found here: https://sparcbenefits.com/Candidate-Benefits-Highlights

Reasonable Accommodation

The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to enable qualified employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Ability to maintain regular and timely attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for up to 8 hours per day
• Ability to constantly operate a computer, other office equipment and look at a monitor for up to 8 hours per day
• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate and exchange information verbally, in writing, or through other means in person, telephonically, or through virtual communication methods
• Ability to reach at or below shoulder level
• Ability to carry equipment, move boxes/samples, etc.
• For Stores & Distribution Centers : Bend, lift, open and move product and fixtures up to 50 lbs., as needed.

Please note that the deadline for submitting your application for this position is three weeks from the date the job posting was published.

Send posting compliance concerns to [e-mail] . This email is only for compliance concerns. Do not send compliance questions to the Company's retail locations or to the corporate office.