Sr Inventory Planner, Strategy - Pottery Barn

Williams-Sonoma; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

401(k) & investment opportunities

Paid vacations, holidays, and time off

Health, dental & vision insurance

Tax-free commuter benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is seeking a Senior Strategic Planner in San Francisco to lead promotional strategy, brand planning and forecasting. This role partners with Merchandising, Inventory, Distribution, Sourcing, and E-commerce to drive planning processes and operational excellence.

You will develop tools, manage OTB and IR deliverables, and provide scenario analyses to optimize sales, margin and inventory turns. Strong Excel skills and stakeholder management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• 5+ years in retail planning, inventory management, merchandise planning, allocation, forecasting, or related analytics.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with forecasting, inventory, and reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Streamline and simplify the promotional planning process.
• Provide timelines, due dates, and visibility to baseline promotions at the department and category level.
• Provide SKU counts, sales results, and margin performance reporting.
• Lead weekly meetings and influence cross-functional teams and leadership to align on promotional strategies.
• Communicate upcoming promotional activities and business impacts.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools and planning files to improve operational efficiency.
• Manage the brand dailies process, including demand and net sales forecasting.
• Provide upside and risk scenarios based on business trends.
• Support Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning processes, communications, rollups, and recaps.
• Support Floor Set and Mid-Season preparation activities.
• Create weekly budgets for new and reintroduced SKUs.
• Create, maintain, and publish Inventory Review (IR) deliverables, supporting files, and targets.
• Monitor business performance and identify opportunities and risks.
• Drive proactive communication and alignment on strategies, priorities, and deliverables with cross-functional partners.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Financial acumen

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Communication & presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Economics/Supply Chain/Retail Merchandising

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Forecasting tools

Inventory reporting tools

Job description

About the Role

The Senior Strategic Planner is responsible for leading promotional strategy, brand planning, forecasting, and business planning activities that support the achievement of sales, margin, and inventory turn goals. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Inventory Management, Distribution, Sourcing, and E-commerce teams to provide business insights, manage planning processes, and drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Streamline and simplify the promotional planning process.
• Provide timelines, due dates, and visibility to baseline promotions at the department and category level.
• Provide SKU counts, sales results, and margin performance reporting.
• Lead weekly meetings and influence cross-functional teams and leadership to align on promotional strategies.
• Communicate upcoming promotional activities and business impacts.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools and planning files to improve operational efficiency.
• Manage the brand dailies process, including demand and net sales forecasting.
• Provide upside and risk scenarios based on business trends.
• Support Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning processes, communications, rollups, and recaps.
• Support Floor Set and Mid-Season preparation activities.
• Create weekly budgets for new and reintroduced SKUs.
• Create, maintain, and publish Inventory Review (IR) deliverables, supporting files, and targets.
• Monitor business performance and identify opportunities and risks.
• Drive proactive communication and alignment on strategies, priorities, and deliverables with cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, Retail Merchandising, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in retail planning, inventory management, merchandise planning, allocation, forecasting, or related analytical functions.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with forecasting, inventory, and reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Our Culture & Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success, and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration). This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $95,000-$110,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.