Merchandise Planner

Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Inc.; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, RX coverage

401K with company match

20% associate discount

Voluntary benefits

120 hours PTO from day one

Job summary

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc. is seeking a Merchandise Planner to forecast buys and manage inventory across stores and distribution centers.

You will analyze trends, build Ladder plans, and coordinate with the buying team to support profitable sales through accurate inventory levels. The role requires 3+ years in merchandise planning or allocations, proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years of prior merchandise planning and/or allocations experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel and internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong working relationships with others.
• Ability to adapt well to change in a fast-paced work environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze trends and inventory level on merchandise buys, through the use of Ladder plans.
• Develop and maintain Ladder plans by accurately forecasting sales and building inventory plans to support these sales plans, and integrating it into the OTB with the buying team.
• Review and evaluate current store inventory and order levels in stores and the Distribution Centers; manage modifiers in JDA allocation system.
• Develop and maintain reports to communicate with the executive team on store inventory levels.
• Communicate with Store Management on Inventory issues.
• Identify risk and opportunities and make recommendations on merchandise buys to ensure profitability.
• Make recommendations to the buying team on merchandise receipt and distribution.
• Create and distribute merchandise analyses to inform future buying decisions.
• Support reporting needs for the Merchandising Department and Buyers; work closely with buyers on reporting needs.
• Manage Sim Store tables and OTB for departments.
• Develop allocation strategies to better manage store levels at SKU level or higher.
• Complete any additional responsibilities and/or duties as assigned.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Allocations

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Join our team and live the Ollie-tude! (Ollie’s Core Values)

• BE A TEAM PLAYER- Associates are expected to be supportive and work together.
• BE CARING- How do I treat others with courtesy, dignity, and respect?
• BE VALUE OBSESSED- Live the “good stuff cheap” mindset.
• BE COMMITTED- Operate with grit, passion, tenacity, and action.
• BE GROWING- How do we get better every day?
• BE REAL- Associates should be honest, transparent, genuine, trustworthy, and sincere.

Competitive Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and RX coverage begins after 30 days of employment
• 401K, Company match begins at Associate enrollment
• 20% Associate discount on all Ollie’s purchases.
• Vast array of voluntary benefits
• 120 hours of PTO that start accruing on day one

Position Overview

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for planning and forecasting for merchandise buys. This position is required to analyze historical data for previous buys, assess reoccurring buys and current inventory levels for our store locations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze trends and inventory level on merchandise buys, through the use of Ladder plans.
• Develop and maintain Ladder plans by accurately forecasting sales and building appropriate inventory plans to support these sales plans, and integrating it into the OTB by partnering with the buying team.
• Review and evaluate current inventory and order levels in stores and the Distribution Centers, manages modifiers in JDA allocation system - Rewrite Review store inventory levels, identify stores inventory concerns, manages modifiers in JDA allocation system.
• Develop and maintain reports to communicate with the executive team on store inventory levels.
• Communicates with Store Management team on Inventory issues
• Identify risk and opportunities and make recommendations on merchandise buys to ensure positive profitability.
• Make recommendations to the buying team on merchandise receipt and distribution.
• Create and distribute merchandise analysis to inform and guide the buying team on future merchandise buying decision.
• Support reporting needs for the Merchandising Department and Buyers. Work closely with buyers to understand their business, where they are creating opportunities, and support their reporting needs.
• Manages Sim Store tables - Sharon maintains this.
• Manage and maintain OTB for specific departments.
• Strategies with allocations on opportunities to better manage store levels at SKU level or higher.
• Complete any additional responsibilities and/or duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• 3+ years of prior merchandise planning and/or allocations experience required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel and internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong working relationships with others.
• Ability to adapt well to change in direction in a fast-paced work environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a normal seated position regularly.
• Ability to see, hear, and speak regularly.
• Ability to grip, reach, and pinch with arms and hands frequently.
• Ability to bend and twist occasionally.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

Ollie’s is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with Federal and State Equal Opportunity Laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran’s status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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