Merchandise Planner

Orgill; Collierville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Orgill in Collierville, TN seeks a Merchandise Planner to drive category financial performance across sales, inventory turn, and margin. The role requires strong analytical and financial skills, cross-functional influence, and the ability to implement strategic plans.

You will partner with Merchandising, Inventory Management, Sales, Supply Chain and Operations to optimize assortment, planning, and OTB management, ensuring profitability and efficient receipts.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or demand forecasting.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to build bottom-up forecasts and align with top-down plans.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Excel and data management tools; experience with data-driven decision making.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement annual, preseason, and assortment plans aligned with financial strategies.
• Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management: Oversee in-season monitoring, promotional planning, and reforecasting receipt flows.
• Financial Alignment: Align bottom-up category forecasts with top-down financial plans.
• Assortment Optimization: Drive SKU optimization using data-driven insights and analytics.
• Performance Reviews: Provide data-backed recommendations for promotions, pricing, sell-through, and markdowns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Merchandising, Inventory Management, Sales, Supply Chain, and Operations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Organization

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Data management tools

Merchandising software

Job description

Job Summary The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving category financial performance relating to sales, inventory turn, and margin. This position requires strong analytical and financial skills, sound business acumen, and a proven ability to leverage cross-functional communication and influence to deliver results.

Job Summary The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving category financial performance relating to sales, inventory turn, and margin. This position requires strong analytical and financial skills, sound business acumen, and a proven ability to leverage cross-functional communication and influence to deliver results.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive annual, preseason, and assortment plans that align with the category vision and financial strategies—driving sales, landed margin growth, inventory productivity, and service levels.
• Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management: Manage OTB by identifying risks and opportunities while overseeing in-season monitoring, promotional planning, and reforecasting receipt flows utilizing multi-source data.
• Financial Alignment: Align bottom-up category forecasts with top-down financial plans.
• Assortment Optimization: Formulate assortment plans and drive SKU optimization utilizing data- driven insights, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies (such as RPA and AI tools).
• Performance Reviews: Participate in category performance reviews, providing data-backed recommendations for promotions, pricing, sell-through, markdowns, and exit strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner dynamically with cross-functional teams—including Merchandising, Inventory Management, Sales, Supply Chain, and Operations—to proactively recommend strategic adjustments that maximize profitability and reduce liability.

Qualifications, Skills, And Experience

• Experience: 3–5 years of experience (preferably in merchandise planning, inventory management, or demand forecasting).
• Analytical Capability: Strong strategic thinking, quantitative planning, and analytical skills with experience managing OTB and building bottom-up forecasts.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in merchandise, procurement, assortment, and space planning software/systems preferred. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and data management tools, alongside an ability to leverage modern analytical tools to drive efficiencies.
• Execution & Organization: Strong organizational skills, with a demonstrated capacity to handle multiple competing priorities and deliver clean, accurate results in a fast-paced environment.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.