Associate Merchandise Planner

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

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discount

Career mobility

Volunteer opportunities

Health insurance

Job summary

LOFT is seeking an Associate Planner to build financial, sales, gross margin and inventory plans for departments across channels. You will use analytics to drive decisions that improve sales, margin and turnover while partnering with your manager to optimize inventory positions and markdown strategies.

The role emphasizes in-season projections, cross-channel collaboration, and driving profitable assortments with a focus on NY-based stores and e-commerce. Hybrid work is available in New York City.

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.
• Expert command of retail math concepts, applications, and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop, consolidate, and communicate a comprehensive pre-season planning strategy for cross channel inventory movement.
• Reforecast business in-season based on current performance and present revised projections to leadership.
• Ensure each channel is planned and managed at appropriate growth rates and inventory is proactively managed.
• Provide Merchants with analytics to support assortment decisions and develop promotional strategies.
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and make future recommendations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to communicate division level financial merchandising plans.

Skills

Retail planning

Data analysis

E-commerce experience

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

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

• YouwillbeeligibletoreceiveamerchandisediscountatselectKnitWellGroupbrands,subjecttoeachbrand’sdiscountpolicies.
• Supportforyourindividualdevelopmentplusopportunitiesforcareermobilitywithinourfamilyofbrands.
• Acultureofgivingback-localvolunteeropportunities,annualdonationandvolunteermatchtoeligiblenonprofitorganizations,andphilanthropicactivitiestosupportourcommunities.
• Medical,dental,visioninsurance&401(K).*
• EmployeeAssistanceProgram(EAP).
• Timeoff-paidtimeoff&holidays.*
• Thetargetsalaryrangeforthisroleis:$65,500-$75,000
• Anyjobofferwillconsiderfactorssuchyourqualifications,relevantexperience,andskills.Eligibilityofcertainbenefitsandassociateprogramsaresubjecttoemploymenttypeandrole.
• Hybrid:Thispositionworksinahybridmodel,with3-4daysperweekworkedintheNewYorkCityoffice.

ApplicantstothispositionmustbeauthorizedtoworkforanyemployerintheUSwithoutsponsorship.Wearenotprovidingsponsorshipforthisposition.

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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.