Manager, Merchandise Planning (WHBM)

Chicos; Fort Myers, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chico’s FAS, Inc. seeks a Merchandising Planning Manager to lead the merchandise planning team, analyze trends, and drive data‑driven decisions to meet financial targets. The role collaborates with merchants to develop plans, coaches planners, and navigates cross‑functional strategic processes.

You will manage category plans, forecast product quantities, and provide insightful analyses for weekly and monthly planning meetings, shaping seasonal flows and profitability across brands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of planning or financial analysis in specialty retail.
• 3-5 years in merchandise planning, allocation, or financial management.
• Strong analytical skills and retail math; forecasting knowledge.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence decisions.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel; SAP experience a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversees development and revision of category plans for sales, margin, inventory and profit.
• Analyzes historical data and trends to identify risks and opportunities; recommends strategies.
• Recommends seasonal merchandise flow strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
• Leads cross-functional team in managing opportunities and risks in key meetings.
• Provides analyses to drive business goals in weekly and monthly planning sessions.
• Partners with leaders to forecast product quantities for mills and factories on a rolling 12-month basis.
• Drives reporting improvements and analytical approaches; shares findings with leadership.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance/ops/business

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Planning systems

Job description

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 communicatingexpectations, 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.