Merchandising Planning & Analytics Manager

2nd Adventure Services (Brownells); Grinnell (IA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 18%

5% 401(k) match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Employee discounts

Job summary

2nd Adventure Services seeks a Merchandising Planning & Analytics Manager in Grinnell, IA. The role sits at the crossroads of merchandising planning, inventory analytics, and commercial finance, shaping inventory investments and assortment strategies.

You will analyze SKU-level performance, develop actionable insights, and partner with leaders across the business to implement recommendations. Hybrid work is offered with remote considerations within several states.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in merchandising planning, inventory planning, category management, supply chain analytics, financial analysis, or related field.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, assortment planning, demand planning, replenishment, pricing, margin, and gross profit optimization.
• Strong financial acumen with experience analyzing working capital, inventory productivity, profitability, and related metrics.
• Advanced analytical skills with ERP, BI, reporting, and data visualization tools.
• Ability to move beyond reporting to identify opportunities, develop recommendations, and influence cross-functional decisions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze inventory, category, SKU, margin, and product mix performance to identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity, gross profit, and working capital.
• Develop forecasts, dashboards, analyses, and decision-support tools that improve inventory investment decisions, demand planning, assortment planning, and merchandising performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory turns, optimize replenishment, reduce excess and obsolete inventory, and support product lifecycle decisions.
• Partner with Merchandising and Pricing to evaluate pricing strategies, promotions, discounts, and customer incentives against sales, margin, and inventory objectives.
• Evaluate supplier programs, rebates, product costs, sourcing opportunities, and drop-ship strategies to improve product economics.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and margin through value-added services and improved product and business mix.
• Translate complex analysis into clear recommendations and influence decisions across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, Sales, and Marketing.

Skills

Merchandising planning

Inventory planning

Category management

Supply chain analytics

Financial analysis

ERP systems

BI platforms

Data visualization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/supply chain/analytics/merchandising

Tools

ERP systems

BI platforms

Reporting tools

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.

Professional Florida, Remote, FL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1182

Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $130,000.00 Annually

Location: Grinnell, Iowa | Hybrid preferred, with remote consideration in Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, or Florida
Salary range:$110,000-$130,000, based on experience
Bonus: Annual bonus potential up to 18%

Are you the kind of merchandising and analytics professional who can look at inventory, pricing, assortment, and margin data and quickly see where the business can perform better?

We are seeking a Merchandising Planning & Analytics Manager who can turn product, inventory, and financial data into better business decisions. This role sits at the intersection of merchandising planning, inventory analytics, and commercial finance, with meaningful influence over how we invest in inventory, manage assortment, improve gross profit, and optimize working capital.

This is not a reporting-only or BI role. As our Merchandising Planning & Analytics Manager, you will dig into SKU-level performance, identify opportunities, develop clear recommendations, and partner with leaders across the business to move those insights into action.

What You'll Do

• Analyze inventory, category, SKU, margin, and product mix performance to identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity, gross profit, and working capital
• Develop forecasts, dashboards, analyses, and decision-support tools that improve inventory investment decisions, demand planning, assortment planning, and merchandising performance
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory turns, optimize replenishment, reduce excess and obsolete inventory, and support effective product lifecycle decisions
• Partner with Merchandising and Pricing to evaluate pricing strategies, promotions, discounts, and customer incentives against sales, margin, and inventory objectives
• Evaluate supplier programs, rebates, product costs, sourcing opportunities, and drop-ship strategies to improve product economics and reduce inventory investment
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and margin through value-added services and improved product and business mix
• Translate complex analysis into clear recommendations and influence decisions across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, Sales, and Marketing

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in merchandising planning, inventory planning, category management, supply chain analytics, financial analysis, or a related discipline
• Strong understanding of inventory management, assortment planning, demand planning, replenishment, pricing, margin, and gross profit optimization
• Strong financial acumen with experience analyzing working capital, inventory productivity, profitability, and related business metrics
• Advanced analytical skills with experience using ERP systems, BI platforms, reporting tools, and data visualization tools
• Ability to move beyond reporting to identify opportunities, develop recommendations, and influence cross-functional business decisions
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain, analytics, economics, merchandising, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Experience in retail, eCommerce, distribution, consumer products, or another inventory-intensive business is especially valuable. Experience with drop-ship programs, promotional analytics, product lifecycle management, forecasting, or executive-level presentations is also a plus.

Why 2nd Adventure Services?

At 2nd Adventure Services, you'll support a family of brands that includes Brownells, Crow Wholesale, AR15.COM, and Big Springs Shooting Complex, serving passionate firearms and outdoor communities across eCommerce, wholesale distribution, digital communities, and customer experiences.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a visible business impact: Your work will directly influence inventory investment, assortment, pricing, profitability, and working capital
• Work across the enterprise: Partner with leaders across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Pricing, Sales, and Marketing
• Solve complex business problems: Apply analytics in a multi-channel eCommerce and distribution environment with a broad, evolving product portfolio
• Join a purpose-driven organization: Help our brands inspire, educate, and outfit customers for a lifetime of adventure
• Enjoy competitive rewards: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, a 5% 401(k) match, employee discounts, and bonus potential up to 18%

Work Arrangement

Our preferred location for the Merchandising Planning & Analytics Manager is Grinnell, Iowa, with hybrid work available. Candidates must currently reside in Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, or Florida, or be willing to relocate to Iowa.

Remote employees should expect periodic onsite travel to Grinnell, typically 1 to 3 weeks per quarter, based on business needs.

If you are energized by using data to improve merchandising performance, inventory productivity, and financial outcomes, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the business.

DISCLAIMER:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. There are two steps involved in this determination. The first concerns whether the applicant or current employee satisfies the prerequisites for the position. The second step involves whether or not the person can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.