Merchandise Planner - Data-Driven Forecasting & Inventory

Rhoback; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Long-term incentives

FTO (Flexible Time Off) policy

Job summary

Rhoback is seeking a proactive Merchandise Planner to join our Planning team in Charlottesville, VA. You will manage SKU-level sales and inventory forecasting, guide purchase orders, and influence strategic decisions with data-driven insights. The ideal candidate is an Excel expert with retail or consumer goods experience.

You’ll work cross-functionally with Merchandising, Finance, Production, and the Founders to optimize forecasts, inventory turns, and on-time fulfillment across channels.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of merchandise planning or related experience.
• Hands-on apparel experience, managing sizing standards and seasonal product cycles.
• Strong forecasting and data-analysis capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; proactive, self-driven.
• Ability to influence decisions with data-driven insights.

Responsibilities

• Update SKU-level monthly demand forecasts across product categories and channels.
• Balance demand plans with supply plans; monitor stock and flag imbalances.
• Coordinate open-to-buy plans and reconcile forecast methods by channel and category.
• Aggregate forecast data to determine total buy quantities for PO reviews.
• Analyze historical sales by size and category to inform sizing ratios and sell-through.
• Collaborate with Merchandising on trend analyses to inform forecasts.
• Prepare PO upload templates after review meetings in a timely manner.
• Support pre-season planning to build seasonal assortments based on channel performance.
• Partner with Planning, Merchandising, and Operations to execute transfer and reserve orders.
• Communicate with Store Managers to understand needs and respond to inventory requests.
• Develop replenishment plans by channel/store location.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Forecasting

Inventory planning

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Planning & Analysis Professional Charlottesville, VA, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1028

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $90,000.00 Annually

Company Mission:Rhoback is a community of passionate and motivated people looking to generate positivity, bring people together, and inspire activity by creating high-quality products and engaging content for those who seek inspiration, motivation, and connection with a #craveactivity mentality.

The Role

Rhoback is seeking a proactive, highly analytical Merchandise Planner to join our Planning team. This role is responsible for managing SKU‑level sales and inventory forecasting to guide purchase orders and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate is an Excel expert with strong retail or consumer goods experience and a demonstrated background in planning, forecasting, and inventory management.

This individual will work cross‑functionally with Merchandising, Finance, Production, and Rhoback’s Founders. The role is based in Charlottesville, VA.

What You’ll Do

• Update, maintain, and continuously improve bottoms‑up, SKU‑level monthly demand forecasts across all product categories and sales channels.
• Balance item‑level demand plans against supply plans; monitor stock levels and proactively flag demand/supply imbalances.
• Partner with Planning to align on open‑to‑buy (OTB) plans and reconcile tops‑down vs. bottoms‑up forecasts by sales channel and product category.
• Aggregate demand forecasts across channels to determine total company buy quantities for PO review meetings.
• Analyze historical sales data by size and category to inform sizing ratios and optimize sell‑through.
• Collaborate with Merchandising on trend analyses—item rankings, comps, marketing campaigns, and category performance—to inform forecasts.
• Complete purchase order upload template after PO review meetings in a timely manner to help meet internal and external needs.
• Support pre‑season planning to build seasonal assortments based on channel performance, SKU productivity, WOS/turn targets, and visual merchandising considerations.
• Partner with Planning, Merchandising, and Operations teams to execute transfer orders and reserve orders to support timely fulfillment across channels and store locations.
• Communicate regularly with Retail Store Managers to understand needs and ensure timely response to inventory requests.
• Develop replenishment plans by sales channel/store location based on historical trends and internal strategies.
• Track and manage replenishable vs. non‑replenishable products using sales trends, inventory levels, sell‑through, and seasonality to drive optimal results.
• Monitor embroidered inventory against forecasted demand to ensure stock availability and meet service-level requirements.
• Identify and resolve system‑related issues tied to PO delays, customer requests, oversells, or marketing timeline changes.
• Maintain seasonal style master files to ensure data accuracy and proper merchandise valuation.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions with Finance and Marketing to provide insights on SKU/product/color performance and inventory positions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of existing forecasting tools, models, and Excel files.

What We’re Looking For

• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel; demonstrated experience building and improving forecasting models.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence decisions using data‑driven insights.
• Self‑starter with a bias toward action and a “no task too small” attitude.
• Creativity, adaptability, and willingness to embrace new approaches.
• High integrity and strong sense of accountability.

What Success Looks Like

• Deliver accurate, data‑driven SKU‑level forecasts that inform smart buying decisions, maintain healthy inventory levels, and improve sell‑through and inventory turns.
• Strengthen Rhoback’s planning capabilities by enhancing forecasting models, reporting tools, and cross‑functional processes.
• Provide clear, proactive insights that surface meaningful business trends and support fast, informed decision‑making across teams.
• Build strong cross‑functional partnerships through reliable communication, attention to detail, and high‑quality execution.
• Operate as a self‑starter who anticipates risks and opportunities, drives continuous improvement, and embodies Rhoback’s values with a “no task too small” mindset.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 2 years of merchandise planning or related experience
• Must have hands-on apparel experience, particularly in managing sizing standards and seasonal product cycles

Physical Requirement (if applicable)

This role may invole performing job-related tasks that occasionally require physical activity, such as lifting, pushing, or pulling items 10 lbs or more, with our without reasonable accommodation.

Rhoback is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

Base salary range: $65,000 - $90,000 per year. Please note that actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Additional rewards may include performance bonuses, long-term incentives, an FTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.

You may be assigned additional duties, activities, or responsibilities to support your professional growth and development within the organization and to meet evolving business needs. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities associated with this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified, expanded, reassigned, or new ones assigned at any time, with or without notice.