Merchandise Planner, Outlets (Chico's)

Chicos; Fort Myers, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Chico's FAS, Inc. seeks a Retail Merchandising Planner to translate the Merchant's vision into viable annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans across Omni channels. This role focuses on forecasting demand, inventory flow, and alignment with financial targets.

The position requires 4+ years in retail merchandising planning with strong Excel skills and analytical abilities. It is an on-site Florida role supporting multiple brands within the company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, operations, or business preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, or financial planning/analysis.
• 3 years of retail experience in merchandising/buying or allocation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math skills and forecasting understanding.
• Makes decisions with limited information but can synthesize large data sets to drive business decisions.
• Strong presentation and communication skills; ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Partners with Merchants on pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt and inventory planning.
• Develops projections and inventory flow for key items and collections.
• Provides analysis related to driving business goals (e.g., hindsight, color-selling).
• Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans to keep orders within financial targets.
• Analyzes performance and adjusts strategy based on sales and trends.
• Prepares and participates in Merchandise Review meetings (MBR, hindsight).
• Collaborates with Merchants to propose tactics in response to market trends; supports financial decision meetings to maximize sales and inventory productivity.
• Manages and executes promotional and liquidation strategies.
• Communicates revisions within the team and with cross-functional partners.
• Uses seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes to guide planning.

Skills

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelors degree in finance/operations/business

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Description

With approximately 1,300 boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S., as well as an online presence for each of our brands, it takes sophisticated technology, resources and infrastructure to ensure the continued success of our businesses. From finance and accounting to technology and merchandising careers, we have diverse opportunities available for talented professionals to join our team of nearly 16,000 associates who share our commitment to excellence.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

This position is responsible for the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans utilizing current sales and trend information. This position is primarily responsible for translating the Merchant’s vision into viable plans and profitable results across Omni channels.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partners with the Merchants on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt and inventory.
• Develops projections and inventory flow for key items/collections.
• Provides other analysis related to driving business goals (e.g. hindsight’s, color-selling, etc.).
• Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans, to ensure all orders fall within approved financial targets.
• Analyzes and reacts to performance of strategy based on actual sales and current trend performance.
• Prepares and participates in Merchandise Review meetings (MBR, seasonal hindsight).
• Partners with Merchant to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends, such as:
• Makes recommendations for key financial meetings/decisions in order to maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity Monthly plan review process: develops sales, markdown, receipt and inventory re-forecasts
• Manages and executes promotional and liquidation strategy
• Communicates revisions within the team and cross functionally
• Partners with cross functional teams to utilize seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes.
• Exhibits initiative to look beyond the everyday business to look for opportunities to maximize sales potentials.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, or business preferred
• 4+ years of experience in: retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting; inventory management, allocation or replenishment; financial planning or financial analysis experience
• 3 years of retail experience in merchandising/buying or allocation
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers; retail math skills, understanding of forecasting methodology
• Makes decisions with limited information but also able to synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions
• Strong communication and presentation skills:concise presents complex information/recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences
• System proficiency with strong emphasis on Excel
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; identifies/influences critical stakeholders

This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.