Merchandise Planner II

Love's Travel Stops; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company funded tuition assistance

Paid Time Off

401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Career Development

Job summary

Love's Travel Stops is looking for a Senior Merchandise Planner based in Oklahoma City to lead category planning and forecasting. This role is crucial for developing sales forecasts, inventory plans, and assortment strategies, working closely with merchandising and analytics teams.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and over 3 years of experience in merchandise planning and analytics. The position offers a collaborative environment fostering innovation and career growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, or forecasting.
• Experience partnering with merchandising, analytics, and buying teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and forecasting of merchandise categories.
• Analyze historical sales and inventory data.
• Develop and manage inventory plans and assortment strategies.
• Monitor performance trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Provide purchasing guidance and strategic recommendations.

Skills

Advanced analytical skills

Strong financial acumen

Expertise in merchandise planning

Advanced proficiency in spreadsheets

Cross-functional collaboration skills

Effective communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

Excel

Forecasting platforms

BI tools

Job description

Benefits:

• Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance the first of the month after 30 days
• Competitive Pay
• Career Development

Welcome to Love's:

The Senior Merchandise Planner partners with merchandising and analytics teams to lead category planning and forecasting activities in alignment with the organization’s financial goals. This role is responsible for developing and owning sales forecasts, inventory plans, and assortment strategies, while providing experienced guidance to buyers and influencing cross‑functional decision‑making to maximize profitability and inventory performance.

Job Functions:

• Lead collaboration with merchandising and analytics teams to plan and forecast merchandise categories aligned to financial and inventory objectives
• Analyze historical sales, inventory, and trend data to develop accurate, actionable sales forecasts
• Develop and manage seasonal and monthly inventory plans and merchandise assortment strategies to maximize profitability
• Monitor performance trends and proactively adjust allocation, replenishment, and inventory strategies as business conditions change
• Provide purchasing guidance, inventory controls, and strategic recommendations to buyers
• Recommend and evaluate markdown and promotional strategies to drive sales, optimize sell‑through, and achieve inventory turn targets
• Identify risks and opportunities related to inventory levels, category performance, and demand trends; communicate insights to leadership and stakeholders
• Support continuous improvement of planning processes, tools, and reporting

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, forecasting, or a related analytical role and partnering cross‑functionally with merchandising, analytics, and buying teams

Skills and Physical Demands:

• Advanced analytical skills with ability to interpret sales, inventory, and trend data to drive forecasting and planning decisions
• Strong financial acumen with focus on profitability, inventory performance, and margin optimization
• Expertise in merchandise planning, forecasting, and assortment strategy development
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities and translate data into clear, actionable recommendations
• Advanced proficiency in spreadsheets, planning systems, and reporting tools (Excel, forecasting platforms, BI tools)
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills with experience partnering with merchandising, analytics, and buying teams
• Effective communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders and provide strategic guidance to leadership
• Attention to detail and ability to monitor performance and adjust strategies as needed

Our Culture:

Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family‑owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award‑winning culture.

Love's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.