Merchandise Planner

R550US The Finish Line USA, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Finish Line, Inc. is seeking a Merchandise Planner to lead the development and execution of annual to weekly merchandise plans. You will collaborate with buyers to set SKUs, price points, and allocation to optimize stock and maximize profitability.

Responsibilities include forecasting, reporting, and tools development, with emphasis on data-driven decision making and cross-functional partnerships across stores and channels. This is an in-office role in Indianapolis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or Finance from a four-year college or university.
• 3–5 years’ merchandise allocation experience and/or Financial/Product Planning experience or equivalent.
• Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development of annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly merchandise plans in cost of goods and units.
• Collaborate with buyers to forecast and set SKUs and price points for optimal assortment.
• Develop and communicate department financial and product strategies and reports.
• Maintain tools and reports to support business needs and decision making.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Forecasting

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or Finance

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

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 units
• Manage weekly markdown forecasts by collaborating with buyers to agree on SKUs and price points
• Develop and communicate comprehensive department financial and product strategies
• Develop pre-season plans and recommend purchase/investment quantities and develop accurate receipt flow forecasts
• Analyze historic performance and planned strategies to identify areas of opportunity or risk
• Develop, maintain and update tools, reports, etc. to support the needs of the business
• Manage product allocations to ensure right stock, right place, right quantities, right stores, right time
• Actively participate in assortment development and review, providing data and analysis to support decision-making
• Collaborate on best strategies to address product liabilities and develop action plans to liquidate in a timely and profitable manner such as cancels, RTVs, and markdown
• Provide periodic reporting on business performance
• Evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results
• Build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners
• Identify and articulate the processes necessary to accomplish tasks efficiently and align resources effectively
• Anticipate risks and identify contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occur

Additional duties and projects as required.

Required 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 Demands

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift
• Use hands to finger, handle and feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk and/or hear
• Walk or move from one location to another
• Occasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Punctuality 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.

Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice.

This job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees.

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.

The global leader in sports fashion, JD Group offers a world of choices across our portfolio of brands.

With opportunities at our corporate offices in Indianapolis, IN and Boulder, CO, our distribution and call center, as well as 900+ stores across the nation, JD offers the possibility for infinite growth.

At JD, our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion is louder than words.

As part of JD’s commitment to creating a more diverse, equitable, & inclusive organization, we established voluntary, employee-led, Employee Resource Groups to support our Diversity & Inclusion mission and goals.

We have also established a D&I Council composed of individuals throughout the company who are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where individuals of all races, genders, and backgrounds are free to be their authentic selves.

We listen to the voices of our team members, which holds us accountable in creating an equitable and successful company.

Together, we are stronger.