Manager, Merchandise Planning (WHBM)

Chico's FAS, Inc.; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is seeking a Merchandise Planning Manager to lead the planning team and drive financial targets through data-driven decisions. You will analyze current trends, market feedback, and historical data to adjust plans and guide cross-functional partners across brands.

The role requires 7+ years in planning/analysis, strong problem-solving, and SAP/Excel proficiency. You will coach a team, influence stakeholders, and help optimize inventory, margins, and profitability across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business preferred.
• 7+ years of planning or financial analysis experience in specialty retail – women’s apparel preferred
• 3-5 years of merchandise planning, allocation, merchandising/buying or financial management experience
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math and forecasting knowledge
• Strong communication and presentation skills to convey complex information clearly
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; ability to influence stakeholders
• Ability to negotiate and influence effectively
• Proficient in Word, Excel and dynamic modeling; SAP experience is a strong plus

Responsibilities

• Oversees development, analysis, and revision of category plans for sales and margins.
• Analyzes historical data and trends to identify risks and opportunities.
• Recommends seasonal merchandise flow strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
• Leads cross-functional teams in critical business milestones.
• Provides analysis to drive weekly and monthly planning meetings.
• Partners with leaders to project product quantity needs for mills and factories.
• Drives reporting improvements and analytical approaches.
• Manages information, risks, and provides recommendations to leadership.
• Leads and develops a results-oriented team.

Skills

Leadership

Forecasting

Analytics

SAP

Excel

Merch planning

Education

Bachelor's in finance/business

Tools

SAP

Job description

With approximately 1,300 boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S., as well as an online presence for each of our brands, it takes sophisticated technology, resources and infrastructure to ensure the continued success of our businesses. From finance and accounting to technology and merchandising careers, we have diverse opportunities available for talented professionals to join our team of nearly 16,000 associates who share our commitment to excellence.

Position Objective

This position is responsible for managing the merchandise planning team which includes analyzing current business trend, market feedback, historical data and recommending course corrections and improvements based on these assessments. This position serves as the key liaison with the Merchant of the businesses they support in the development of the plans to achieve agreed upon financial targets. This position coaches and develops a team of Planners.

Functional Responsibilities

• Oversees the development, analysis, and revision of category plans for sales, margin realization, inventory and profit (tops down and bottoms up) aligning to financial strategies/targets.
• Analyzes historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities to business and recommend strategies to achieve financial goals.
• Recommends seasonal merchandise flow strategies that maximize sales, profitability and customer expectations.
• Supports and leads cross-functional team in managing opportunities and risks in critical business meetings/milestones.
• Provides analysis related to driving business goals (e.g. hindsights, color-selling, etc.) in weekly business meetings and monthly planning meetings.
• Partners with leaders to develop projected product quantity needs for mills and factories as required on a rolling 12-month basis.
• Drives analytical excellence by managing the development of new reporting and approaches.
• Manages information, opportunity and risk of the business and shares with leader, along with recommendation for solves, if necessary.
• Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best.

This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business strongly preferred
• 7+ years of planning or financial analysis experience in specialty retail – women’s apparel strongly preferred
• 3-5 years of merchandise planning, allocation, merchandising/buying or financial management experience
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math skills, understanding of forecasting methodology
• Strong communication and presentation skills concisely presents complex information/recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; identifies/influences critical stakeholders
• Ability to negotiate and influence effectively
• Ability to effectively lead and develop results-oriented team
• Proven track record in managing a business to achieve financial targets
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and dynamic modeling replenishment systems; Planning systems and SAP experience a strong plus

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.