Merchandise Planner

Ross Stores; New York (NY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Ross Stores, a leading off-price retail chain, is seeking a Merchandise Planner in New York to execute strategic initiatives within a fast-growing division. You will analyze sales trends, margins, inventory, and OTB, partnering with Buying and Location Planning teams to identify opportunities and risks and make recommendations.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and 3+ years in retail planning, strong Excel skills, and the ability to present to Planning Management and Senior Merchants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required and a minimum of three years retail merchandise planning experience and a minimum of two years’ experience involving sales and inventory planning, sales forecasting and OTB.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships across teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Analytical mindset with retail math skills and ability to draw actionable insights.
• Experience with planning systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal business plans through partnership with Buying group and analysis of historical data to forecast trends.
• Develop Pre-Season chain plans at the class level and In-Season forecasting of chain plans.
• Monitoring monthly performance to sales, inventory, and margin targets.
• Manage weekly OTB, identifying opportunities as needed.
• Identify Early Warning Callouts and recommend courses of action to drive profitable sales and margin.
• Collaborate closely and build trust among cross-functional partners to drive desired results.
• Present risks/opportunities to Planning Management and Senior Merchants.

Skills

Communication

Flexibility

Results-driven

Analytical thinking

Retail planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Arthur Planning

Excel

Job description

Our values start with our people, join a team that values you!

Bring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong track record of success and growth. Our focus has always been bringing our customers a constant stream of high-quality brands and on-trend merchandise at extraordinary savings. All while providing a fun and exciting treasure hunt experience.

As part of our team, you will experience:

• Success. Our winning team pursues excellence while learning and evolving


• Career growth. We develop industry leading talent because Ross grows when our people grow


• Teamwork. We work together to solve the hard problems and find the right solution


• Our commitment to Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, and our community. We celebrate the backgrounds, identities, and ideas of those who work and shop with us because our differences make us stronger. We strive to be a positive force in our community.

Our Corporate headquarters are in Dublin, CA, we have 3 buying offices in key markets in New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston, and 8 distribution centers nationwide. With 2023 revenues of $20.4 billion, we are a Fortune 500 company who is committed to providing an inclusive work environment with continuous learning opportunities and development for our teams.

About this opportunity...

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives within their fast-growing division; while ensuring the accuracy and consistency of all plans, revisions and projects developed. The Merchandise Planner effectively analyzes dynamic, multi-dimensional plans including sales trends, gross margin, inventory and OTB levels. They partner with the Buying, Location Planning teams and Planning Management to identify business opportunities/risks to sales/margin and make recommendations accordingly.

What you will do and what you will learn...

• Responsible for developing seasonal business plans through partnership with Buying group and analysis of historical data to forecast trends


• Develop Pre-Season chain plans at the class level and In-Season forecasting of chain plans.


• Monitoring monthly performance to sales, inventory, and margin targets


• Manage weekly OTB, identifying opportunities as needed


• Identify Early Warning Callouts and recommend courses of action to drive profitable sales and margin. Perform independent analysis as needed to identify opportunities


• Collaborate closely and build trust among cross-functional partners to drive desired results



• Present and call out risks/opportunities to Planning Management and Senior Merchants

What you need to be successful...

• Strong communication skills: You can “read the situation” you actively listen, ask clarifying questions, confidently share your point of view, and demonstrate the ability to build relationships.


• Flexibility: You can pivot and are adaptable, and receptive to feedback.


• Results Driven: You are tenacious, and achievement focused. You can prioritize your work and deliver it with accuracy.


• Intellectually curious: You can analyze and draw conclusions, are a critical thinker, and see the big picture.


• Resilient: You are persistent and persuasive. You stay focused on your goals and finding creative solutions to problems.


• Highly proficient in Excel and have a thorough knowledge of planning systems, Arthur Planning is strongly desirable.


• Analytical Mindset: Driving a business depends on strong analytical, conceptual, and retail math skills.


• Bachelor’s Degree required and a minimum of three years retail merchandise planning experience and a minimum of two years’ experience involving sales and inventory planning, sales forecasting and OTB.

#LI-JW3

Perks and Benefits of joining our team...

Our Associates are at the heart of everything we do and we're proud to offer a range of benefits that reflect how much we value their contributions. Here's a peek into what you can expect as an eligible Ross Associate:

• A broad range of affordable health insurance options & personal medical plan concierge
  401(k) with employer match and Life insurance


• Ample PTO including accrued vacation, paid holidays, diversity day, summer Fridays and the ability to purchase additional vacation.


• Employee stock purchase plan*


• Access to health and wellness benefits such as BetterHelp and Headspace


• Charitable donations matched by Ross Stores Foundation


• And more....

*benefits vary by level and position and are subject to change

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at management’s discretion.

Ross is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of the Company’s overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented and diverse workforce. Ross is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

The base pay range for this role $98,000.00 to $110,000.00. The base pay range is dependent on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, qualifications, relevant education, certifications, seniority, and location. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards vary by position and location.