Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning

PetSmart; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

PetSmart in Phoenix is seeking a Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning to own the division's annual and seasonal financial plans, including sales, margin, inventory, and turn.

You will lead a five-person team and drive forecasts and promotional strategies to meet financial objectives. You will collaborate with Buying/Sourcing and Allocation, partner with vendors on joint plans, and identify risks to protect inventory while optimizing performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a business focus.
• 7+ years related experience and/or training; or equivalent.
• JDA Enterprise Planning (or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of annual and seasonal financial plans (sales, margin, inventory and turn).
• Provide strategic direction to planners for rolling forecasts and promotions.
• Collaborate with Buying/Sourcing and Allocation to influence assortment and initiatives.
• Partner with vendors on short/long-term planning to align with division plans.
• Identify risks and opportunities, communicating strategies to protect inventory.
• Oversee team development, recruiting, training, and succession planning.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial forecasting

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical reasoning

Education

Bachelor's degree, preferably business

Tools

JDA Enterprise Planning

Job description

About the Team

Our Merchandise Planning and Allocation (MP&A) teams are the driving forces behind making the organization’s product visions available to our consumers through calculated and strategic measures. Your involvement in sales and margin forecasts, promotional performance analysis, inventory management, and vendor relationships will play a critical role in obtaining goals while maintaining PetSmart's reputation in the market as a trusted partner to pet parents.

About the Location

Collaborative Work Environment: At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote "flex day" (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job

How this role will make an impact:

• The Sr. Manager, Merchandise Planning is responsible for developing the overall merchandise financial strategies for their respective Division. This role has 5 direct reports.

Your goals and responsibilities will include:

• As a Senior Manager Merchandise Planning you will be responsible for leading the development of accurate annual and seasonal financial plans (sales, margin, inventory and turn) that support the merchandise strategy and financial objectives for your respective division. In addition to that, you will:
• Provide strategic direction to the Merchandise Planners for all components of a rolling merchandise forecast (sales, margin, receipts, inventory and turn).
• Collaborate with the Buying/Sourcing and Allocation teams to influence assortment and promotional initiatives and projects.
• Partner with the vendor community on both short and long-term planning activities to align on a joint Sales, COGS, Receipt, and Marketing plan that ties to the division and corporate level plan.
• Lead the identification of risks and opportunities and communicate in a timely manner to the business, recommending strategies to achieve financial goals and protect inventory investments.
• Conduct customer analysis to identify trends in traffic and basket.
• Lead the team in life cycle management beginning with new sku projections and partnering with the allocation team on initial orders, through working with the pricing team on markdown recommendations to reduce write off risk
• Conduct monthly promotion analysis and ensure they fit within markdown dollar plan.
• Roll up and review financials for monthly planner locations ensuring the drive aisle assortment is driving sales and margin.
• Conduct ad-hoc analysis using from departmental databases, CRM, JDA, consumer insights to support the enterprise
• Integrate all processes and systems to fully optimize plan accuracy, efficiency, inventory productivity, and space utilization.
• Accountable for team development to include recruiting, training, and succession planning.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a business focus.
• 7 plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• JDA Enterprise Planning (or equivalent) preferred

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we're building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a culture where associates learn and grow together, thrive as effective teams and challenge each other to be the best they can be.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• Top Dog gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• Sit & Stay Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• Lil Paws NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.