Merchandise Planner

Finish Line; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Finish Line is seeking a Merchandise Planner to oversee annual to weekly merchandise plans and allocation strategies. You will collaborate with buyers to set SKUs, prices, and forecasts, translating performance data into actionable plans across cost of goods and units.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of merchandising allocation or financial/ product planning experience, with preferred internal JD Finish Line familiarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or Finance from a four-year college or university; at least 3–5 years’ merchandise allocation experience and/or Financial/Product Planning experience.
• Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.
• Basic knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and abilities with Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly merchandise plans in cost of goods and units.
• Manage weekly markdown forecasts with buyers on SKUs and price points.
• Develop department financial and product strategies and communicate them across the team.
• Develop pre-season plans and recommend purchase/investment quantities and receipt flow forecasts.
• Analyze historic performance and planned strategies to identify opportunities or risks.
• Manage product allocations to ensure right stock, place, quantity, store, and time.
• Contribute to assortment development and provide data-backed decisions.
• Collaborate on strategies to liquidate liabilities through cancels, RTVs, and markdowns.
• Provide periodic reporting on business performance and translate data into actionable insights.
• Build relationships with a broad group of business partners and align resources.

Skills

Google Suite

MS Word

PowerPoint

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Merchandise Planner oversees the development and execution of the product plans from merchandise planning through the merchandise allocation stage. This individual should effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do while performing the following main duties:Manage the development of annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly merchandise plans in cost of goods and unitsManage weekly markdown forecasts by collaborating with buyers to agree on SKUs and price pointsDevelop and communicate comprehensive department financial and product strategiesDevelop pre-season plans and recommend purchase/investment quantities and develop accurate receipt flow forecastsAnalyze historic performance and planned strategies to identify areas of opportunity or riskDevelop, maintain and update tools, reports, etc. to support the needs of the businessManage product allocations to ensure right stock, right place, right quantities, right stores, right timeActively participate in assortment development and review, providing data and analysis to support decision-makingCollaborate on best strategies to address product liabilities and develop action plans to liquidate in a timely and profitable manner such as cancels, RTVs, and markdownProvide periodic reporting on business performanceEvaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive resultsBuild constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partnersIdentify and articulate the processes necessary to accomplish tasks efficiently and align resources effectivelyAnticipate risks and identify contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occurAdditional duties and projects as requiredRequired Education and/or Experience:Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or Finance from a four-year college or university; at least 3-5 years’ merchandise allocation experience and/or Financial/Product Planning experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.Required Computer and/or Technical Skills:Should have basic knowledge and abilities with Google Suite, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and abilities with Microsoft Excel.Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Sit for more than 6 hours per shiftUse hands to finger, handle and feelReach with hands and armsTalk and/or hearWalk or move from one location to anotherOccasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouchLift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionallyPunctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.The average work week is (40-50) hours, which can vary depending on business need.The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting.The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.#LI-DNIThis job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice.EEO Statement:The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other characteristic or class protected by law. The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices.Need accessibility assistance to apply?Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at [phone] or email us at [e-mail]. A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.)