Merchandise Planner

Petco; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco in Los Angeles is seeking a Merchandise Planner to drive sales, optimize inventory, and forecast accurately across stores and online channels.

The role requires strong analytical skills, retail acumen, and collaboration with merchandising, marketing, and supply chain teams. Proficiency with planning tools (JDA, SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail.
• Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel.
• Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends.
• Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks.
• Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels.
• Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies.
• Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI.
• Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams.
• Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability.
• Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams.
• Provide planning input for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and store openings.
• Communicate inventory risks and opportunities to leadership.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Retail Acumen

Communication

Technical Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

JDA

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.

• Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
• Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
• Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco

We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

This role can be based out of any of the following locations:

• Southern California (Orange County, & Los Angeles County): Remote / Flexible Hybrid (with periodic visits to our National Support Center in San Diego, CA)
• Phoenix, AZ (Statewide) & Texas: Remote
• San Diego, CA: Hybrid / On-site (based out of our National Support Center - NSC)
• San Antonio, TX: Hybrid / On-site (based out of our Satellite Support Center - SSC)

The Merchandise Planner plays a strategic role in driving sales, optimizing inventory, and enhancing customer satisfaction through data-driven planning and forecasting. This role requires a deep understanding of niche markets, seasonal trends, and customer preferences to ensure the right products are available at the right time and place.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
• Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
• Collaborate with buying teams to build assortments that align with brand strategy and customer demand

Inventory & Allocation

• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
• Partner with allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across stores and channels
• Identify slow-moving items and propose markdowns, promotions, or reallocation strategies

Financial Analysis

• Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
• Prepare weekly/monthly business reviews and present insights to cross-functional teams
• Support pricing and promotional strategies to maximize profitability

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams
• Provide planning input for product launches, seasonal campaigns, and store openings
• Communicate inventory risks and opportunities to leadership

Skills & Qualifications

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends
• Retail Acumen: Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
• Communication: Clear and collaborative communication across departments
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail
• Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools is a plus

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

Salary Range: $63,800.00 - $105,600.00

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO - see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.