Associate Merchandise Planner

Bath & Body Works; Reynoldsburg (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) match

Stock Purchase Program

Paid time off

Parental leave

Discount on products

Scholarship opportunities

Care.com subscription

Wellness center

Job summary

Bath & Body Works seeks an Associate Planner to analyze, track, and report on data to help shape merchandise plans for a category. You will collaborate with planning managers and planners to develop pre-season and in-season strategies, considering trends, promotions, and assortment changes.

The role emphasizes forecasting accuracy, financial perspective on assortment, and coordination with inventory, central planning, and other MP&A functions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in: retail merchandise planning, demand planning, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, financial planning or financial analysis experience
• Excellent understanding of merchandise as it relates to company strategy
• Excellent communication, prioritizing and problem-solving skills
• Keen ability to interact with peers and merchants
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, complex formulas, and creating dynamic reports.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word and Access
• System skills capabilities and proficiency in Data Warehouse and MSI tools preferred; other retail planning systems experience
• Bachelor's degree in finance, operations, economics, business, statistics or equivalent experience
• Core Competencies: Drives Results, Action Oriented, Collaborates, Decision Making, Nimble Learning

Responsibilities

• Cultivate the ability to work effectively under stressful and changing circumstances
• Set high personal performance standards that deliver results, convey a sense of urgency and enthusiasm for the business, and help achieve objectives despite obstacles or opposition
• Develop forecasts for new skus and strategize assortment from a financial perspective
• Basic understanding of retail supply chain management inclusive of inventory planning
• Review and analyze business performance trends
• Maintain SKU level forecasts that are updated monthly or more frequently based on needs of the business, inclusive of units, sales dollars, and margin. Identifies trend changes and impacts to business
• Collaborate with Inventory Planners and Inventory Deployment Analyst to ensure plan alignment with forecasting systems
• Work with Central Planning in identifying targets for pre-season and in-season
• Present business trends and forecast to management in monthly MPR (Monthly Planning Review)
• Aid Merchandise Planner in developing long term forecasts to act as basis for seasonal architecture to meet business needs
• Review and provide forecast hind sighting for season for cross-functional team
• Actively pursue growth and development opportunities, continually finding ways to improve
• Communicate openly and directly; accept responsibility and champion ideas despite challenges
• Champion change, taking risks as needed and demonstrating flexibility
• Encourage innovation, creativity and risk-taking through influence in teams
• Foster teamwork by being a valued teammate and building good relationships across functional and division lines

Skills

Forecasting

Merchandise planning

Communication

Problem solving

Excel data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Data Warehouse

MSI tools

Job description

At Bath & Body Works, we believe everybody deserves to feel good. When you join us, you're part of more than an iconic fragrance and personal care brand — you become part of Gingham Nation, where people are at the center of everything we do.

We believe great associate experiences create great consumer experiences. When our associates feel supported, inspired and empowered, consumers feel it. Whether you're starting your career or building your next chapter, we invest in your growth so you can learn, lead and help create feel good moments every day.

The Associate Planner analyzes, tracks, and reports on data to assist in the identification and execution of merchandise plans for a category. Primarily focused on working with the Planning Manager or Merchandise Planner to develop pre-season and in-season plans while incorporating such items as current trends, promotional activity, and changes to assortment. Works with cross-functional partners such as merchandising, central planning, inventory planners, and other functions in MP&A. Reports to Manager of Merchandise Planning.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate the ability to work effectively under stressful and changing circumstances
• Set high personal performance standards that deliver results, convey a sense of urgency and enthusiasm for the business, and help achieve objectives despite obstacles or opposition
• Develop forecasts for new skus and strategize assortment from a financial perspective
• Basic understanding of retail supply chain management inclusive of inventory planning
• Review and analyze business performance trends
• Maintain SKU level forecasts that are updated monthly or more frequently based on needs of the business, inclusive of units, sales dollars, and margin. Identifies trend changes and impacts to business
• Collaborate with Inventory Planners and Inventory Deployment Analyst to ensure plan alignment with forecasting systems
• Work with Central Planning in identifying targets for pre-season and in-season
• Present business trends and forecast to management in monthly MPR (Monthly Planning Review)
• Aid Merchandise Planner in developing long term forecasts to act as basis for seasonal architecture to meet business needs
• Review and provide forecast hind sighting for season for cross-functional team
• Actively pursue growth and development opportunities, continually finding ways to improve
• Communicate openly and directly; accept responsibility and champion ideas despite challenges
• Champion change, taking risks as needed and demonstrating flexibility
• Encourage innovation, creativity and risk-taking through influence in teams
• Foster teamwork by being a valued teammate and building good relationships across functional and division lines

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in: retail merchandise planning, demand planning, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, financial planning or financial analysis experience
• Excellent understanding of merchandise as it relates to company strategy
• Excellent communication, prioritizing and problem-solving skills
• Keen ability to interact with peers and merchants
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, complex formulas, and creating dynamic reports.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word and Access
• System skills capabilities and proficiency in Data Warehouse and MSI tools preferred; other retail planning systems experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in finance, operations, economics, business, statistics or equivalent experience

Core Competencies

• Drives Results
• Action Oriented
• Collaborates
• Decision Making
• Nimble Learning

Benefits

Feeling good starts with you. We invest in benefits that support your well-being, growth and future, helping you thrive as a creator of feel good — every day. Benefits for eligible associates include:

• Robust medical, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage. Plus, access to our onsite wellness center and pharmacy located at the Columbus, OH home office.
• No-cost mental health and well-being support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with company match and Associate Stock Purchase Program with discount.
• Opportunity for paid time off, paid parental leave and access to family building benefits.
• Home, auto and pet insurance and a company-provided Care.com subscription.
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities for post-secondary education.
• Enjoy complimentary products and a 40% merchandise discount so you can experience and share the brand you love.
• Visit bbwbenefits.com for more details.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: Los Angeles Fair Chance In Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Washington Fair Chance Act Guide

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not make employment decisions based on an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status, and we comply with all laws concerning nondiscriminatory employment practices. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for associates and job applicants with disabilities. Our management team is dedicated to ensuring fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, associate activities and general treatment during employment. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.

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