Inventory Planner, Prep

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

401(k) plan

Paid vacations/holidays

Health benefits

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Commuter benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is seeking an Inventory Planner in San Francisco to lead planning across the product life cycle, from pre-season to open-to-buy forecasts and inventory management. You will forecast demand, optimize stock levels, and drive margin while partnering with Merchants, Allocation, Ecommerce, and Distribution to hit targets and uncover opportunities.

This high-visibility role offers exposure to leadership and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years planning and distribution experience.
• Computer skills—Excel, Word, Microsoft Outlook, MS Access.
• Strong business acumen, financial analysis, and technical skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to prioritize and schedule work in a deadline driven environment.
• Superior written, communication, presentation, and listening skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage a department through the entire product life cycle.
• Create pre-season plans.
• Present plans at investment review.
• Manage monthly open-to-buy forecasts to drive sales and margin.
• Manage inventory levels and turn targets.
• Forecast and review buys and replenishment by SKU to maintain optimum inventory flow.
• Utilize the new planning software to forecast sales and manage replenishment.
• Partner with the Inventory Distribution team to develop allocation strategies and with the Ecommerce team on site merchandising opportunities.
• Identify potential inventory liabilities and take action to maintain inventory targets.
• Build team relationships with Merchant counterparts and partner to develop financial merchandise plans by department.
• Identify opportunities to drive the top line.
• Analyze business day‑to‑day through reading and reacting to trends, and communicate actions to take.
• Develop and provide appropriate business analysis to influence purchases and assortment strategies.
• Be an integral partner with Visual, Store Operations, Sourcing, and the Distribution Centers.
• Act like an owner, being the expert on everything relating to the sales, inventory and margin of your department.

Skills

Excel

Word

Outlook

MS Access

Job description

About the Team

The Inventory Management team is responsible for maintaining inventory levels across the fleet and in the distribution center. They handle all sales and margin forecasting and use that information to project future inventory needs. Based on these forecasts, the team places new orders and reorders to ensure the right products are available for the customer.

About the Role

As an Inventory Planner, you will manage a department through the entire product life cycle—from pre-season planning and investment reviews to monthly open‑to‑buy forecasting and inventory management. You will use forecasting tools to optimize inventory flow, drive margin, and support top‑line sales, while partnering cross‑functionally with Merchants, Allocation, Ecommerce, and Distribution to identify opportunities and maintain inventory targets. This role is within a high‑visibility category and offers strong exposure to leadership.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, and a remote option on Friday.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage a department through the entire product life cycle.
• Create pre‑season plans.
• Present plans at investment review.
• Manage monthly open‑to‑buy forecasts to drive sales and margin.
• Manage inventory levels and turn targets.
• Forecast and review buys and replenishment by SKU to maintain optimum inventory flow.
• Utilize the new planning software to forecast sales and manage replenishment.
• Partner with the Inventory Distribution team to develop allocation strategies and with the Ecommerce team on site merchandising opportunities.
• Identify potential inventory liabilities and take action to maintain inventory targets.
• Build team relationships with Merchant counterparts and partner to develop financial merchandise plans by department.
• Identify opportunities to drive the top line.
• Analyze business day‑to‑day through reading and reacting to trends, and communicate actions to take.
• Develop and provide appropriate business analysis to influence purchases and assortment strategies.
• Be an integral partner with Visual, Store Operations, Sourcing, and the Distribution Centers.
• Act like an owner, being the expert on everything relating to the sales, inventory and margin of your department.

Criteria

• Minimum 2 years planning and distribution experience.
• Computer skills—Excel, Word, Microsoft Outlook, MS Access.
• Strong business acumen, financial analysis, and technical skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to prioritize and schedule work in a deadline driven environment.
• Superior written, communication, presentation, and listening skills.

Competencies

• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Hit sales/inventory targets.
• CREATE SOLUTIONS: Use data to optimize inventory.
• OWN IT: Take ownership of categories managed.

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands.
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities.
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer.
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same‑sex domestic partner benefits.
• Tax‑free commuter benefits.
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health.

Continued Learning

• In‑person and online learning opportunities through WSI University.
• Cross‑brand and cross‑function career opportunities.
• Resources for self‑development.
• Advisor (Mentor) program.
• Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series.