Manager, Merchandise Planning

Skechers USA Ltd.; Manhattan Beach (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Skechers in Southern California is seeking a Merchandising Planning Manager to own the OTB process, forecast accuracy, and lead the merchandise planning team. You will drive pre-season and in-season plans to align with company objectives and collaborate with cross‑functional partners to optimize buying, allocation, and inventory.

The role requires 6–8 years in merchandise planning, strong Excel and BI skills, and a Bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years in merchandise planning, inventory management, buying or finance in retail (footwear preferred).
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Proficient in Excel (incl. V-lookups and pivot tables).

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-season planning cycle including sales, stock, AUR, and margin plans; set SKU-level targets.
• Maintain and communicate the planning calendar across cross-functional teams.
• Oversee OTBs at brand level; communicate plans to merchandising team monthly, quarterly and annually.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Leadership

Analytical skills

Forecasting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

BI tools

Job description

WHO WE ARE: Headquartered in Southern California, Skechers—the Comfort Technology Company®—has spent over 30 years helping men, women, and kids everywhere look and feel good. Comfort innovation is at the core of everything we do, driving the development of stylish, high-quality products at a great value. From our diverse footwear collections to our expanding range of apparel and accessories, Skechers is a complete lifestyle brand.

The Merchandise Planning Manager is accountable for the OTB process, entering orders on time, and the flow of inventory. You will be responsible for leading and managing the merchandise planning team, overseeing in-season forecasts and future merchandise plans to ensure they are aligned with company objectives. Guide the team in creating sales forecasts and inventory plans that optimize sales, margin, and turn. Must work effectively with cross‑functional partners to execute buy and allocations strategies.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Lead the pre-season planning cycle, including the development and review of sales, stock, AUR, and margin plans; generate and review store clusters and SKU‑level targets to support buying, allocation, and assortment strategies.
• Maintain and communicate the planning calendar, ensuring all key milestones, deadlines, and deliverables are met across cross‑functional teams.
• Oversee OTBs at brand level and ensure merchandise targets are met on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis; communicate OTB plans to the merchandising team and assess inventory risks.
• Schedule and lead weekly/monthly in‑season forecast and OTB meetings; ensure receipt plans are filled according to the write schedule.
• Review sales monthly and re‑forecast quarterly; communicate results and critical issues to the Director of Planning and Buying; develop action plans to increase or decrease inventory as needed to reconcile the OTB.
• Drive sales by analyzing trends, forecasting demand, and reviewing inventory position; identify risks and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations on a weekly basis.
• Support and review SKU‑level reorder ladders for core and carry‑forward SKUs, ensuring replenishment strategies align with demand signals and inventory targets.
• Partner with planners and merchandisers to actively manage the lifecycle and flow of inventory, including exit strategies, transition strategies, cancellations, markdown needs, and in‑store inventory plans; drive the buying calendar forward to ensure budgets are met and orders maintain ideal flow.
• Initiate analysis of business trends—including category performance, regional selling, and size selling—and translate findings into informative recommendations that influence organizational decisions.
• Prepare and present performance recaps to management at monthly, quarterly, and seasonal intervals, highlighting key business drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner with the Director of Planning in the review of financial analysis and team deliverables, providing direction and feedback as necessary.
• Develop and train new talent; mentor existing planners and guide review planners through monthly reforecasts to grow and strengthen the team.
• Lead cross‑functional merchandise meetings, providing input on product performance, assortment strategies, and inventory positioning.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Strong aptitude for numbers and clear understanding of retail math.
• Experience in SKU level and category level planning, financial planning process and report/modeling building using excel and or planning software.
• Demonstrates the ability to quickly and proficiently understand and absorb new information
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to compile and analyze large sets of data using excel and BI tools.
• Strong organizational skills – ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines. Schedule and lead meetings in a timely manner.
• Proven track record of analyzing and delivering financial results.
• Highly motivated, have a professional demeanor, and be capable of working with and/or leading cross‑functional teams in an effective and collaborative matter.
• Proficiency in using financial metrics and reports to measure the performance of the business. Understand how decisions impact financial results.
• Experience leading a team and having 4+ persons report into them.
• Ability to communicate persuasively, influentially, and responsibly across a cross‑functional team.
• Excels in team environments and in building/developing strong interpersonal relationships, while maintaining an individual determination to accomplish goals.
• Passionate about customer service and the retail industry.
• Driven to excel and succeed, taking full ownership of his or her success.
• Ability to travel 0-10% of time.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 6-8 years of merchandise planning, inventory management, buying or finance in a retail environment- preferably Footwear
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Proficient in Excel (includes v-look ups and pivot tables)

The pay range for this role is $135,000-$150,000/yr USD.

About Skechers

Skechers, a global Fortune 500® company, developsand markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e‑commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,300 Skechers retail locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Skechers is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. Skechers provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment without regard race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic established by local, state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants for employment who require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job should request appropriate accommodation by emailing [e-mail]. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The skills, abilities and physical demands described are representative of those duties that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified for the job position, to perform the essential functions.