Merchandise Planner

Petco; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco is seeking a Merchandise Planner to drive planning, forecasting and inventory optimization from our Dallas, TX area offices. You will develop financial plans by category and season, forecast sales and margins, and align assortments with brand strategy and customer demand.

You will partner with buying, marketing and supply chain teams to optimize distribution, monitor stock, and identify opportunities for promotions and markdowns. Strong analytics and Excel skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field.
• 3-5 years in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail.
• Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season and store/channel.
• Forecast sales, margin and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends.
• Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks.
• Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels.
• Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies.
• Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI.
• Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams.
• Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Retail Acumen

Communication

Excel Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

JDA

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Location: This role can be based out of our National Support Centers in San Diego, CA, San Antonio, TX, or Dallas, TX.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
• Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
• Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand

Inventory & Allocation

• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
• Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels
• Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies
• Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
• Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams
• Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams
• Provide planning input for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and store openings
• Communicate inventory risks and opportunities to leadership

Skills & Qualifications

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends
• Retail Acumen: Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
• Communication: Clear and collaborative communication across departments
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail
• Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools is a plus

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.