Associate Merchandise Planner

LOFT; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discount

Career mobility within brands

Volunteer opportunities

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

KnitWell Group, for LOFT in New York, seeks an Associate Planner to build multi-channel financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans using analytics to drive turnover and profitability. You will partner with management to optimize markdowns and inventories across stores and .com.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years in retail planning or financial analysis, a Bachelor’s degree, and strong Excel skills. E‑commerce experience is preferred, with excellent communication and attention to detail for

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of retail buying, planning or financial analysis experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
• E‑Commerce experience is strongly preferred.
• Results driven; strategic, conceptual, and innovative thinker.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to develop realistic work plans, goals, and schedules.
• Detail oriented, with excellent follow-through skills.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop pre-season planning strategy for cross channel inventory movement and identify opportunities and risks.
• Reforecast in-season based on performance and present revised projections to cross-functional partners.
• Provide analytics to support assortment decisions by channel and develop promotional and markdown strategies.
• Identify inventory liabilities and drive actions toward resolution.
• Collaborate with Merchants and cross-functional teams to improve systems and efficiencies.

Skills

Retail planning

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About us

LOFT creates modern, feminine, versatile clothing for women with one common style goal: to look and feel confident wherever the day takes them. We empower women to find their authentic self-expression because feeling like yourself is always in style. Here at LOFT, we're busy styling the careers and supporting the lives of everyday optimists just like you. Express your authentic self and experience endless inspiration, all while enjoying the opportunities and benefits that help you get the most from your career, life, and wardrobe.

About the role

The Associate Planner, LOFT builds financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans for departments in a given area at a multichannel level. The Associate Planner will also use analytics to make client focused business decisions to achieve sales, margin and turn across both channels. In partnership with their manager, this person will manage and plan merchandise inventory positions and markdown strategies to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives. Provides in-season financial projections and strategies. Identifies risks and opportunities to maximize profits. Contribute to projects resulting in improved departmental systems and efficiencies.

The Associate Planner builds financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans for departments in a given area at a multichannel level. The Associate Planner will also use analytics to make client focused business decisions to achieve sales, margin and turn across both channels. In partnership with their manager, this person will manage and plan merchandise inventory positions and markdown strategies to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives. Provides in-season financial projections and strategies. Identifies risks and opportunities to maximize profits. Contribute to projects resulting in improved departmental systems and efficiencies.

The impact you can have

Develop, consolidate, and communicate a comprehensive pre-season planning strategy for cross channel inventory movement that identifies opportunities and risks. Reforecast business in-season based on current performance, present revised projections and recommendations to cross-functional partners and senior leadership. Ensure that each channel is planned and managed at appropriate growth rates and inventory is proactively managed. Provide Merchants with analytics to support assortment decisions by channel and develop promotional and markdown strategies to maximize profitability and sales. Analyze promotional effectiveness and make future recommendation. Participate in all aspects of line building process with Merchandising Lead or participate in department projects to improve systems or efficiencies. Partner with cross-functional teams to communicate division level financial merchandising plans that support the seasonal financial objectives. Strategize, develop, and present seasonal key item plans that support sales and GM goals for stores and .com. Identify and communicate potential inventory liabilities and drive appropriate actions to resolution. Participate in developing processes that build efficiencies and streamline work streams. Use retail financial measurements to evaluate short-term and long-term impacts of business decisions. Analyze quarterly hindsight.

You’ll bring to the role

2-4 years of retail buying, planning or financial analysis experience.
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
E-Commerce experience is strongly preferred.
Results driven; strategic, conceptual, and innovative thinker.
Expert command of retail math concepts, applications, and statistical analysis.
Possess strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional partners.
Ability to develop realistic work plans, goals, and schedules.
Detail oriented, with excellent follow-through skills.
Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work productively in a team environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.


• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.


• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.


• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).


• Time off – paid time off & holidays.

The target salary range for this role is: $65,500 - $75,000 Any job offer will consider factors such as your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills.

Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

Location & Work Arrangements

Hybrid: This position works in a hybrid model, with 3-4 days per week worked in the New York City office.

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

#LI-LL1 Location: Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036 Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.