Merchandise Planner

KnitWell Group; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KnitWell Group in Fort Myers, FL is hiring a Merchandise Planning Analyst to translate the Merchant’s vision into viable plans across omni channels. You will forecast monthly and seasonal plans, develop inventory flow for key items, and partner with merchants to optimize sales, margin, and stock.

Strong math, Excel skills, and cross-functional collaboration are essential for success. Experience in retail merchandise planning and replenishment, plus ability to synthesize data into actionable

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting; inventory management, allocation or replenishment; financial planning or financial analysis experience.
• 3 years of retail experience in merchandising/buying or allocation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math skills, understanding of forecasting methodology.
• Makes decisions with limited information but also able to synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; concisely presents complex information/recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences.
• System proficiency with strong emphasis on Excel.
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; identifies/influences critical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develops projections and inventory flow for key items/collections.
• Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans, to ensure all orders fall within approved financial targets.
• Analyzes and reacts to performance of strategy based on actual sales and current trend performance.
• Prepares and participates in Merchandise Review meetings (MBR, seasonal hindsight).
• Partners with Merchant to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends, such as: makes recommendations for key financial meetings/decisions in order to maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity.
• Monthly plan review process, develops sales, markdown, receipt and inventory re-forecasts.
• Manages and executes promotional and liquidation strategy.
• Communicates revisions within the team and cross functionally.
• Partners with cross functional teams to utilize seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Forecasting

Inventory management

Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business

Job description

About us

Inspired by our customers who appreciate fashion as much as function, Soma is an intimate apparel brand that embraces a passion for comfort and confidence by offering beautiful, innovative solutions. At Soma, every day is a chance to make women feel more empowered. Join the movement. Bring your talents and discover opportunities, support, and growth. This position is responsible for the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans utilizing current sales and trend information. This position is primarily responsible for translating the Merchant’s vision into viable plans and profitable results across Omni channels.

Functional Responsibilities

Partners with the Merchants on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt and inventory. Develops projections and inventory flow for key items/collections. Provides other analysis related to driving business goals (e.g. hindsight’s, color-selling, etc.). Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans, to ensure all orders fall within approved financial targets. Analyzes and reacts to performance of strategy based on actual sales and current trend performance. Prepares and participates in Merchandise Review meetings (MBR, seasonal hindsight). Partners with Merchant to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends, such as: Makes recommendations for key financial meetings/decisions in order to maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity Monthly plan review process, develops sales, markdown, receipt and inventory re-forecasts Manages and executes promotional and liquidation strategy Communicates revisions within the team and cross functionally Partners with cross functional teams to utilize seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes. Exhibits initiative to look beyond the everyday business to look for opportunities to maximize sales potentials. 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 preferred
• 4+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting; inventory management, allocation or replenishment; financial planning or financial analysis experience
• 3 years of retail experience in merchandising/buying or allocation
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math skills, understanding of forecasting methodology
• Makes decisions with limited information but also able to synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions
• Strong communication and presentation skills; concisely presents complex information/recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences
• System proficiency with strong emphasis on Excel
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; identifies/influences critical stakeholders

#LI-CS4 Location: Corporate FAS Retail Services - Fort Myers, FL 33928 Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

KnitWell Group

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.