Retail Merchandising & Planning Strategy Lead

Accenture; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture is seeking a Strategy Manager in Retail Merchandising and Planning to lead transformation programs for major retailers. You will guide operating model design, process reinvention, and capability roadmaps, partnering with client stakeholders and Accenture leadership to drive impact.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in topics like category management, MFP, assortment, or demand planning, plus consulting experience. Strong communication and leadership skills are required.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant professional experience with expertise in Category Management, MFP, Assortment Planning, Allocation, Replenishment, Demand Planning or Supply Planning.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in professional services at a consulting firm (or equivalent internal consulting experience).
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Lead key workstreams and projects within large transformation engagements for retail clients.
• Drive execution, shape recommendations, and activate results with client stakeholders.
• Manage merchandising and planning transformation initiatives across multiple workstreams.
• Apply AI, analytics, and planning platforms to address business problems.
• Contribute to proposal development, asset creation, and practice growth.
• Coach, mentor, and develop junior team members.

Skills

Project leadership

Client management

Communication

Problem solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

o9 planning

Blue Yonder

Anaplan

Oracle

RELEX

AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini)

Job description

Accenture is seeking a Strategy Manager in Retail Merchandising and Planning to lead transformation programs for major retailers. You will guide operating model design, process reinvention, and capability roadmaps, partnering with client stakeholders and Accenture leadership to drive impact.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in topics like category management, MFP, assortment, or demand planning, plus consulting experience. Strong communication and leadership skills are required.