Freelance Merch Planner

System One; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

System One is seeking a highly analytical Freelance Merch Planner to join the team in New York, NY. You will be an embedded quantitative expert within Merchandise Planning, building financial models, OTB processes, and inventory forecasts to drive growth and mitigate risk.

You will analyze weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales trends, margins, and inventory health, and develop dashboards for cross-functional partners. Collaboration and independence are essential in this contract role.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in finance, analytics or consulting.
• Strong Excel/Sheets skills and ability to build dynamic models.
• Ability to translate data insights for non-technical partners.

Responsibilities

• Embed as quantitative expert within Merchandise Planning.
• Build, maintain, and optimize financial models and OTB processes.
• Analyze sales trends, margins, and inventory health for insights.
• Create dashboards to simplify reporting for business partners.
• Support pricing scenarios and promotional analyses.

Skills

Excel advanced

Google Sheets

financial modeling

data storytelling

stakeholder communication

independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Job Title: Freelance Merch Planner
Location: New York, NY
Type: Contract
Compensation: $30.00 - $34.00 per hour
Work Model: Hybrid - onsite and remote

Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Merchandise Planner to join the team. In this role, you will be an embedded quantitative expert within the Merchandise Planning function.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an embedded quantitative expert within the Merchandise Planning function, supporting strategic decision-making and business growth
• Build, maintain, and optimize financial models, Open-to-Buy (OTB) processes, and inventory forecasts to support growth initiatives and mitigate risk
• Conduct deep-dive analyses of weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales trends, margin performance, and inventory health to uncover actionable insights
• Identify opportunities to improve processes by streamlining reporting and developing dashboards that make data more accessible to business partners
• Support cross-functional stakeholders by analyzing pricing scenarios, promotional effectiveness, and broader commercial strategies
• Provide analytical and forecasting support for specific merchandise categories, enhancing overall merchandise planning efficiency

Requirements

• 2-4 years of experience in management consulting, corporate FP&A, investment banking, financial analysis, or business analytics
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including complex formulas, managing large datasets, and building dynamic financial models
• Proven ability to communicate analytical insights to non-technical stakeholders effectively
• Strong ownership, initiative, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• On-site presence required; experience in retail planning, retail analytics, or specialty retail is preferred but not mandatory for candidates with strong analytical and financial modeling skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a tech retail environment or ecommerce platform
• Familiarity with retail management software and inventory management systems
• Knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field

Benefits include competitive pay, flexible work arrangements, and career growth opportunities.

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.

System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Ref: #404-IT Pittsburgh