Merchandise Planner

Pivotal Talent Search; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal Talent Search is looking for a Merchandise Planner to develop and execute merchandise plans that maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity across assigned brands or categories. You will work with Buying and Allocation teams, translating insights into actionable financial plans.

The role requires strong analytics, collaboration, and proficiency in Excel and BI tools to forecast sales and manage OTB across seasonal cycles.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3+ years of retail merchandise planning experience.
• Strong understanding of retail planning principles, inventory management, and financial forecasting.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience using reporting and business intelligence tools.
• Strong knowledge of Open-to-Buy (OTB), sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, AUR, and other retail planning metrics.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop pre-season sales, inventory, and margin plans that align with overall business objectives and category strategies.
• Build and maintain forecasts for sales, inventory, receipts, margin, and turnover based on historical performance and current business trends.
• Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans to maintain optimal inventory levels while supporting sales growth and profitability.
• Reforecast business performance regularly and adjust inventory strategies to respond to changing demand and market conditions.
• Manage ladder plans and key item forecasts to maintain appropriate inventory levels throughout seasonal selling periods.
• Analyze business performance to identify sales opportunities, inventory risks, and profitability trends.
• Develop reporting and ad hoc analyses that support strategic planning and in-season business decisions.
• Monitor key retail metrics including sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, AUR, and stock productivity.
• Analyze size selling by market to optimize assortment and distribution strategies.
• Present business performance, forecasts, and recommendations to merchandising leadership.
• Partner closely with Buyers to develop seasonal merchandise strategies and category plans.
• Collaborate with Allocation teams to ensure inventory is distributed effectively based on sales trends and priorities.
• Identify emerging opportunities and risks at store/category level, recommending actions.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that improve merchandising performance and operational efficiency.
• Participate in special projects that improve planning processes and business performance.
• Share knowledge and best practices with teammates while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Recommend process improvements based on data analysis and business trends.
• Communicate business insights and recommendations clearly to stakeholders across the organization.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Forecasting

OTB knowledge

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

BI tools

Job description

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing and executing merchandise plans that maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity across assigned brands or product categories. Working closely with Buying and Allocation teams, this role leverages data, forecasting, and business analysis to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and support strategic merchandising decisions. The ideal candidate is analytical, collaborative, and skilled at translating business insights into actionable inventory and financial plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop pre-season sales, inventory, and margin plans that align with overall business objectives and category strategies
• Build and maintain forecasts for sales, inventory, receipts, margin, and turnover based on historical performance and current business trends
• Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans to maintain optimal inventory levels while supporting sales growth and profitability
• Reforecast business performance regularly and adjust inventory strategies to respond to changing demand and market conditions
• Manage ladder plans and key item forecasts to maintain appropriate inventory levels throughout seasonal selling periods

Business Analysis & Financial Management

• Analyze business performance to identify sales opportunities, inventory risks, and profitability trends
• Develop reporting and ad hoc analyses that support strategic planning and in-season business decisions
• Monitor key retail metrics including sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, average unit retail (AUR), and stock productivity
• Analyze size selling by market to optimize assortment and distribution strategies
• Present business performance, forecasts, and recommendations to merchandising leadership

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner closely with Buyers to develop seasonal merchandise strategies and category plans
• Collaborate with Allocation teams to ensure inventory is distributed effectively based on sales trends and business prioritiesIdentify emerging opportunities and risks at the store and category level, recommending appropriate actions
• Support cross-functional initiatives that improve merchandising performance and operational efficiency
• Participate in special projects that improve planning processes and business performance
• Share knowledge and best practices with teammates while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Recommend process improvements based on data analysis and business trends
• Communicate business insights and recommendations clearly to stakeholders across the organization

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3+ years of retail merchandise planning experience
• Strong understanding of retail planning principles, inventory management, and financial forecasting
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience using reporting and business intelligence tools
• Strong knowledge of Open-to-Buy (OTB), sell-through, inventory turnover, margin, AUR, and other retail planning metrics
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field
• Experience working with retail planning systems and business intelligence platforms
• Footwear, apparel, or specialty retail merchandising experience
• Experience supporting seasonal planning, forecasting, and inventory optimization initiatives