Director, Planning - (WSS)

Foot Locker, Inc.; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Employee Discount

Job summary

Foot Locker, Inc. in Gardena, CA is seeking a Director of Planning to lead the merchandise planning function and develop financial and inventory strategies that support sales, margin, and profitability.

You will oversee plans, forecasts, open-to-buy, and inventory strategies across categories. You will partner with Merchandising, Allocation, Finance, and cross-functional leaders to identify opportunities and risks, optimize inventory productivity, and guide strategic planning across the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Economics, or related field.
• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning/financial planning/inventory management.
• 3-5+ years in leadership with planning teams.
• Strong experience with merchandise financial planning, forecasting, open-to-buy, inventory optimization, and sales/margin analysis.
• Experience in multi-store, specialty retail footwear/apparel preferred.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders across Merchandising, Finance, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience using retail planning/reporting systems; advanced Excel required.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual/seasonal/in-season merchandise financial plans including sales, margin, inventory and turns.
• Oversee forecasting and open-to-buy management to align investments with trends and targets.
• Analyze performance to identify opportunities and risks and recommend actions.
• Develop category/association/stock strategies with Merchandising and Allocation teams.
• Advise on inventory investments, receipts flow, markdowns, promotions to optimize productivity.
• Lead business reviews and communicate trends and risks to senior leadership.
• Align plans with Finance and develop scenario plans for opportunities/risks.
• Establish and monitor KPIs like sales, gross margin, inventory turnover, weeks of supply, sell-through.
• Improve planning processes, reporting, tools, and methodologies.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Leadership

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance

Tools

Excel

Forecasting tools

BI systems

Job description

Overview

Great brands reflect culture. The best ones help shape it. At Foot Locker, we’re rooted in sport, powered by style, and driven by the communities that move both. From Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker to Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos, our brands sit at the intersection of sport, style, and self-expression.

As part of the DICK’S Sporting Goods family, you’re backed by the resources, reach, and career opportunities of a world-class sports company. That unleashes Foot Locker to keep pushing forward with the agility and edge that define the brand. We’re looking for great people who want to influence culture and the generation that is shaping what’s next.

Whether you’re building strategy, shaping innovations, or creating unforgettable customer moments, you’ll contribute to decisions and experiences that define our brands’ impact in the communities we serve.

Come change the game with us.

The Director, Planning is responsible for leading the merchandise planning function and developing financial and inventory strategies that support company sales, margin, and profitability objectives. This role oversees the development and execution of merchandise plans, forecasts, open-to-buy, and inventory strategies across assigned categories.

The Director partners closely with Merchandising, Allocation, Finance, and other cross-functional leaders to identify business opportunities and risks, optimize inventory productivity, and support informed business decisions. This position provides strategic leadership to the Planning team and ensures planning processes, tools, and reporting effectively support the needs of the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of annual, seasonal, and in-season merchandise financial plans, including sales, margin, inventory, receipts, and turn objectives.
• Oversee forecasting and open-to-buy management to align inventory investments with sales trends, financial targets, and business priorities.
• Analyze business performance, identify sales, margin, inventory, and profitability opportunities and risks, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Partner with Merchandising and Allocation leadership to develop category, assortment, and inventory strategies that support customer demand and financial objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance on inventory investments, receipt flow, markdowns, promotions, and other actions impacting sales and inventory productivity.
• Lead business reviews and communicate key trends, financial performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with Finance to align merchandise plans and forecasts with company financial objectives and develop scenario plans to evaluate business opportunities and risks.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including sales, gross margin, inventory turnover, weeks of supply, sell-through, and markdowns.
• Drive continuous improvement of planning processes, reporting, tools, and methodologies to improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Planning team, building capabilities to support current and future business needs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Allocation, Finance, Store Operations, Supply Chain, and other teams to support business priorities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Economics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, inventory management, or a related retail function.
• 3-5+ years of leadership experience, with demonstrated success leading and developing planning teams.
• Strong experience with merchandise financial planning, forecasting, open-to-buy management, inventory optimization, sales and margin analysis, and seasonal planning.
• Experience in a multi-store, specialty retail, footwear, apparel, or consumer-focused environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders across Merchandising, Buying, Allocation, Finance, and other cross-functional teams.
• Experience using retail planning, reporting, and business intelligence systems; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial acumen with sound business judgment.
• Proven leadership and team development capabilities.
• Ability to translate data and business trends into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and results-oriented.

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 construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines:

• Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience.

Benefits

The annual base salary range is $152,000 - $190,000 / year. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary for this position. Salary will be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Salary is one component of the Foot Locker, Inc. total compensation package, which includes the below.

• Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage - Individual and Family Plans
• Self-Development & Recognition Programs
• Advancement Opportunities
• 401k Retirement Plan and HSA Contributions
• 30%-50% Employee Discount - Friend & Family Events
• Community Engagement Opportunities

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 construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

This is a hybrid position in our Gardena, CA office.

ABOUT WSS

WSS is the premier footwear retailer in the U.S. doing business in neighborhood-based stores. Consumers trust WSS for the best brands, greatest values and largest selection of athletic, dress, fashion, and casual footwear for the entire family. Our large store format enables us to showcase thousands of styles from top brands like Nike, Jordan, Vans, Converse, Adidas, Puma, Skechers, etc. In addition, WSS carries high quality private brands augmenting the breadth of selection to deliver amazing value to our customers.

Founded in Southern California in 1984 by entrepreneur Eric Alon, all WSS stores feature a unique retail format that displays every style and size. This allows customers to browse on their terms, in a hassle-free environment, engaging the friendly and knowledgeable sales staff when they choose. The success of this business model has allowed WSS to continue its rapid expansion into new markets.

WSS is committed to giving back to the communities we serve, sponsoring or participating in over 350 local events each year. Stay connected to us via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and at www.shopwss.com.