Inventory & Merch Planner — Forecast, Optimize

Staples; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive culture

PTO 22 days

Company discounts

Job summary

Staples in Framingham, MA is seeking an Inventory/Merchandise Planner to forecast sales and manage inventory across assigned categories. You will present plans at item, department, and vendor levels and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors such as HP, 3M, and Georgia Pacific.

This role emphasizes data-driven decision making, building vendor relationships, and driving turns while maintaining service levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of related work experience, or an advanced degree with slightly fewer years.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, including Excel and Access.

Responsibilities

• Forecast department- and vendor-level on-hand inventory and turns to meet budget goals.
• Create department- and vendor-level sales and margin plans using trends and promotions.
• Forecast demand and supply for core items with key-item planning tools.
• Provide forecast guidance to vendor partners for future purchases.
• Develop vendor relationships and serve as primary contact for the total inventory team.
• Manage inactive inventory and coordinate markdowns with merchants.
• Forecast promotions and seasonality to maximize sales and margin while reducing excess.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis and model scenarios on assortment, price, cost, and demand.
• Collaborate with supply chain to improve efficiency through policy changes.
• Work with inventory analysts to reduce stockouts and improve service levels.
• Help reduce supplier lead times to warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Skills

Planning skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Partnership building

Influence stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Access

SQL

MicroStrategy

E3

JDA

Evant

Job description

Staples in Framingham, MA is seeking an Inventory/Merchandise Planner to forecast sales and manage inventory across assigned categories. You will present plans at item, department, and vendor levels and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors such as HP, 3M, and Georgia Pacific.

This role emphasizes data-driven decision making, building vendor relationships, and driving turns while maintaining service levels.