Merchandise Planning Manager, Handbags and Soft Accessories

Bergdorf Goodman; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Basic life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

Exemplar Luxury Group seeks a Manager, Merchandise Planning in New York to lead omni-channel P&L and inventory strategy for multiple divisions. You will drive pre-season and in-season financial plans, forecast accuracy, and partner with DMMs, Buyers, and vendors to maximize sales and profitability across store and online channels.

The role reports to the Director of Merchandise Planning, with one direct report.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of planning or merchandising experience.
• 1–2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate pre-season plans and manage in-season forecasts that support divisional strategies.
• Drive and lead the divisional partnership for the monthly OTB process, present to the senior leadership team, and synthesize data-driven recommendations for stakeholders.
• Deliver accurate, aligned forecasts for key profit-driving metrics, including sales, markdown strategies, receipt management, and inventory balance.
• Manage and reconcile top-down and bottom-up financial plans and projections.
• Ensure vendor and category plans appropriately capture opportunities and liabilities by channel.
• Oversee the strategic growth of category inventory by maximizing turnover and actively reducing markdown liabilities.
• Manage inventory ownership and mitigate risk through financial modeling.
• Build the full suite of seasonal and fiscal purchase plans for the business, including a comprehensive checkbook encompassing brand details by channel, delivery budgets, and class/category SKU breadth and depth targets.
• Partner with merchants to lead brand negotiations regarding sales, purchases, inventory, and profitability.
• Apply an entrepreneurial approach by developing or adapting financial tools to better manage division business.
• Partner with merchants and leadership to develop product performance reporting tools.
• Perform ad-hoc analysis and recommend courses of action to drive sales and profit.
• Collaborate closely and build trust across cross-functional teams to drive desired results.
• Lead and inspire teams and partners, contributing to an environment that strengthens the organization through training and development initiatives.
• Oversee the training and professional development of Merchandise Planners.
• Support the mentorship and professional development of merchant teams through involvement in internal training programs

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Retail math

Strategic mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

A New York landmark since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman represents the global pinnacle of style, service and modern luxury. With its rich history of showcasing leading and emerging designers, the iconic store at 5th Avenue and 58th Street—the crossroads of fashion—is a singular destination for discerning customers around the world. BG.com expands on Bergdorf Goodman's heritage, showcasing coveted collections for men and women in an unparalleled online shopping experience. Bergdorf Goodman is part of Saks Global’s portfolio of top luxury retail brands and real estate assets.

YOU WILL BE:

The Manager, Merchandise Planning is the strategic leader for their category, owning the full omni-channel P&L and inventory efficiency. They are responsible for driving Pre-Season and In-Season financial plans and forecasts for multiple divisions/groups of the BG business at the vendor/category/classification level. The MMP is responsible for developing and presenting thoughtful financial plans and forecasts that align to the merchandise strategy to maximize sales, profit, and inventory.

The MMP will be a key stakeholder and closely partners with the DMMs, Buyers, vendors and cross-functional teammates while leveraging analytics and formulating strategies to drive business across both store and online channels.

This position reports to the Director of Merchandise Planning and has one direct report. The MMP is responsible for the development and training of the Merchandise Planner on their team.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Develop and communicate pre-season plans and manage in-season forecasts that support divisional strategies.
• Drive and lead the divisional partnership for the monthly OTB process, present to the senior leadership team, and synthesize data-driven recommendations for stakeholders.
• Deliver accurate, aligned forecasts for key profit-driving metrics, including sales, markdown strategies, receipt management, and inventory balance.
• Manage and reconcile top-down and bottom-up financial plans and projections.
• Ensure vendor and category plans appropriately capture opportunities and liabilities by channel.
• Oversee the strategic growth of category inventory by maximizing turnover and actively reducing markdown liabilities.
• Manage inventory ownership and mitigate risk through financial modeling.
• Build the full suite of seasonal and fiscal purchase plans for the business, including a comprehensive checkbook encompassing brand details by channel, delivery budgets, and class/category SKU breadth and depth targets.
• Partner with merchants to lead brand negotiations regarding sales, purchases, inventory, and profitability.
• Apply an entrepreneurial approach by developing or adapting financial tools to better manage division business.
• Partner with merchants and leadership to develop product performance reporting tools.
• Perform ad-hoc analysis and recommend courses of action to drive sales and profit.
• Collaborate closely and build trust across cross-functional teams to drive desired results.
• Lead and inspire teams and partners, contributing to an environment that strengthens the organization through training and development initiatives.
• Oversee the training and professional development of Merchandise Planners.
• Support the mentorship and professional development of merchant teams through involvement in internal training programs

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

Required Qualifications (Minimum Requirements):

• Strong leadership, management, communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• A sharp analytical and strategic mindset, paired with the drive to be a thoughtful decision-maker and business leader.
• Must possess a comprehensive understanding of retail math, cost accounting, and advanced Excel skills.
• Flexibility and strategic agility to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Exceptional people development and team-building skills.
• Proven process management capabilities.
• 5–7 years of planning or merchandising experience.
• 1-2 years of supervisory experience is preferred
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university

YOUR LIFE AND CAREER AT EXEMPLAR LUXURY GROUP:

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic fast paced environment at a company experiencing growth and transformation
• Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities across the largest multi-brand luxury retailer from retail to distribution, to digital or corporate
• Comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental)

BENEFITS:

We offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, and a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance).

Exemplar Luxury Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Exemplar Luxury Group and would like to request special assistance or an accommodation, please contact [e-mail].

Compensation for this role varies by geographic location. The listed range reflects multiple markets, including higher-cost areas. Actual starting pay will be determined based on work location, experience, and other job-related factors.