Freelance Planning Analyst

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Job summary

System One in New York, NY is seeking a Freelance Planning Analyst to join the Merchandise Planning team. You will manage inventory flow, optimize Open-to-Buy strategies, and analyze product performance to support accurate forecasting and growth.

This contract role requires 2–4 years in merchandise planning and strong proficiency with Excel and Google Sheets, enabling cross-functional partnership with Merchandising, Buying and Allocation teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management or retail analytics.
• Specialty retail experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail metrics and planning concepts (OTB, GMROI, sell-through).
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and Google Sheets, including complex formulas and pivot tables.
• Able to collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Buying and Allocation teams.

Responsibilities

• Assume planning responsibility for a specific merchandise category and monitor inventory health.
• Provide quantitative insights to inform seasonal buys and assortment strategies.
• Build and optimize Open-to-Buy processes and forecasts for growth.
• Analyze sales trends, margins, and inventory health to identify risks and opportunities.
• Support in-season pricing, promotions and markdown decisions to maximize profitability.
• Respond to ad hoc merchandising requests with actionable analysis.
• Streamline reporting and improve data accessibility for cross-functional partners.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Retail analytics

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Job Title: Freelance Planning Analyst

Location: New York, NY

Type: Contract

Compensation: $30.00 - $34.00

Work Model: Hybrid – onsite and remote

Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Merchandise Planning Analyst to join our team. In this role, you will be a core member of the Merchandise Planning department, taking on vital responsibilities to ensure product strategies translate into profitable results.

You will serve as a strategic partner to the Merchandising team. Your primary mission will be to manage inventory flow, optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) strategies, and analyze product performance to support accurate forecasting and business growth. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in retail planning to make an immediate and highly visible impact within a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Assume planning responsibility for a specific merchandise category, acting as the primary point of contact for inventory and financial health within that classification.


• Partner closely with the Merchandising team, providing quantitative insights and historical data to inform seasonal buys and assortment strategies.


• Build, maintain, and optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) processes and inventory forecasts to support business growth and maximize inventory productivity.


• Analyze weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales trends, margin performance, and inventory health to identify risks and opportunities.


• Support in-season business optimization by evaluating pricing scenarios, promotional impacts, and markdown strategies to maximize profitability.


• Respond to ad hoc merchandising requests and provide actionable analysis in a fast-paced environment.


• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes and improve data accessibility for cross-functional partners.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, retail analytics, or a related field.


• Specialty retail experience strongly preferred.


• Strong understanding of retail metrics and planning concepts, including IMU, MMU, GMROI, sell-through, inventory turn, and Open-to-Buy (OTB).


• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and inventory planning models.


• Demonstrated success partnering cross-functionally with Merchandising, Buying, Allocation, or related teams.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.

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, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.