Sr Category Management Planner

Michaels; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Telemedicine services

Flexible spending accounts

Commuter benefits

Tuition assistance

Adoption assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Michaels Companies Inc. is seeking a Senior Category Management Planner in Irving, TX to partner with the Category Manager and Category Director on sales, gross margin and inventory goals.

You will analyze data, develop seasonal plans and drive in-season adjustments across assortments, pricing and resets. Responsibilities include weekly planning, MD strategy execution, and collaboration with finance and replenishment teams to optimize flow and timelines.

Qualifications

• Strong numerical analysis and forecasting skills for sales, margin and inventory.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects across planning functions.
• Experience partnering with Category Managers and Directors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide analysis and recommendations to optimize sales, margin and inventory.
• Create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans for seasonal programs.
• Owns planning administration, reviews corrections and suggests wave breaks.
• Develop MD strategies and monitor reset activities with partners.
• Participate in assortment planning and in-season recommendations.

Skills

Numerical analysis

Project management

Collaboration

Time management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Business, retail or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Planning systems

Job description

Support Center - Irving

The Senior Category Management Planner is key business partner with Category Manager and Category Director (CM/CD) to ensure achievement of department goals in terms of sales, gross margin and inventory.

Analysis:

• Provide CD/CM with analysis and recommendation to optimize sales, margin and inventory,in season recommendations to optimize seasonal plans
• Ensure corporate inventory initiatives are included in department strategies
• Optimize seasonal inventory flowin season management and execution of basic assortment exit strategies for resets
• Partner with Financial Planner to develop and execute SKU rationalization goals

Purchase Planning:

• Using MFP (Michaels Financial Planning), create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans at subclass level for seasonal and trend programs
• Owns MFP administration for seasonal and basic plans
• Incorporates correction of errors
• Recommend “wave breaks” for seasonal flow
• Recommend optimal inner and master packs
• Work with pricing and CD/CM to make appropriate in season MD recommendations for seasonal and trend product
• Evaluate forward buys on market deals and other opportunities
• Develop and adhere to critical timelines

Assortment Planning:

• Insure assortments are completed within specific timeframes
• Participate in assortment plan review with category mgt team for seasonal and SBA assortments by analyzing historical information
• Make appropriate recommendations

Reset Support:

• Develop and implement MD strategy following reset financial timeline
• Implement discontinue timing
• Implement order placement timing for new product with CD/CM and replenishment team
• Monitor progress of reset activities and integrate into MFP sales, margin and inventory forecastUpdate finance partner on any activities that would require updating reset financials

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Type of experience the job requires

• 2-5 years in retail
• Numerical analysis; collaborative activities; project management

Other

• Analytical, organizational, communication, collaborative, self-motivational, and good time management skills required
• Ability to work comfortably on unstructured problems/tasks
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and time constraints

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Business, retail or related field

Preferred Special Certifications or technical skills

• Microsoft Office knowledge, especially Excel. Planning system skills preferred

Preferred Type of experience the job requires

• 2+ in retail planning or allocation preferred

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

At The Michaels Companies Inc., our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration. As the leading destination for creating and celebrating in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com.

Michaels offers a range of benefits to support team members and their families. Depending on position and eligibility, team members may have access to a 401(k) with employer match, an Employee Assistance Program, medical, dental, and vision coverage, telemedicine services, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, and various voluntary insurance options. All team members enjoy everyday perks such as employee discounts and access to partner discount programs. For a summary of benefits, visit the Michaels Benefits at a Glance page. For additional information regarding benefits, visit MIKBenefits.com.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all customers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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