Junior Merchandise Planner: Data-Driven Inventory & Growth

Guitar Center Stores, Inc.; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K plan

Employee discount program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Guitar Center Stores, Inc. is seeking an analytical Associate Merchandise Planner to support the merchandise planning team across assigned categories.

This entry-level role focuses on analyzing sales and inventory performance, maintaining reports, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to drive data-driven decisions. You will help with open-to-buy forecasting, seasonal planning, and post-season analysis while ensuring data integrity across planning tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or related field.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience; internships or academic experience in retail, analytics, finance, or merchandising welcome.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and basic data analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn in a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze weekly and monthly sales, inventory, and product performance.
• Assist with open-to-buy sales, inventory, and gross margin forecasting.
• Prepare and maintain recurring reports, dashboards, and business analyses.
• Analyze sales trends and historical performance to support future plans.
• Partner with Category Merchants, Replenishment and Operations teams.
• Help identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity, sell-through, and profitability.
• Support seasonal planning, promotional analysis, and post-season reporting.
• Maintain accurate planning files and ensure data integrity across reporting tools.
• Present findings and recommendations to planning and merchandising leadership as needed.
• Take on ad hoc analyses and projects that support business priorities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

BI tools

Job description

Guitar Center Stores, Inc. is seeking an analytical Associate Merchandise Planner to support the merchandise planning team across assigned categories.

This entry-level role focuses on analyzing sales and inventory performance, maintaining reports, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to drive data-driven decisions. You will help with open-to-buy forecasting, seasonal planning, and post-season analysis while ensuring data integrity across planning tools.