Temporary Space Planning Associate

freelance.de GmbH; United States; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

freelance.de GmbH is looking for a Temporary Space Planning Associate to optimize store layouts and inventory. This role requires 3-5 years of retail planning experience and strong analytical skills.

The position is hybrid, requiring attendance 2-3 days a week, and involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive financial planning initiatives across North America.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years planning experience in retail.
• Proven experience in Merchandising, Planning, or Distribution.
• Expertise in financial modeling and space optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic space planning initiatives.
• Provide capacity guidance to senior leadership.
• Oversee reporting frameworks and data management.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Collaboration

Tools

MS Excel

O9

Business intelligence tools

Job description

Temporary Space Planning Associate

Location: Hybrid, 2-3 days per week

Duration: ASAP – 1 year

FT Hours

Position Purpose and Scope

The Space Planning Manager will play a vital role in driving financial planning initiatives across the brand's full-price retail network. This strategic position reports directly to the Head of Business Planning and serves as an integral leader in our expanding direct-to-consumer division. This role encompasses close collaboration with cross-functional teams including Store Operations, Merchandising & Allocation, and Brand Image to develop optimization of retail space & inventory capacity to maximize store profitability and enhance consumer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Develop and execute strategic space planning initiatives to optimize store layouts, product placement, and inventory capacity across the North America retail network
• Build individual choice counts and capacity for all full price stores
• Lead comprehensive analysis of KPIs to identify capacity opportunities, trading trends, and space efficiency improvements with a focus on profit maximization
• Conduct advanced Space and Density analysis to identify revenue opportunities and optimize the store base for maximum profitability
• Demonstrate expertise in financial modeling and performance analysis

Capacity Management & Execution

• Provide strategic capacity guidance and recommendations to senior leadership, allocation teams, and inventory partners to drive business performance

Reporting & Data Management

• Oversee development and delivery of comprehensive reporting frameworks including weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc analytics utilizing advanced data modeling techniques
• Leverage technology & systems to harmonize data and inform assortment plans
• Conduct database queries and create reports leveraging business intelligence tools
• Experienced at manipulating data from multiple sources

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Regional Managers and store leadership, synthesizing feedback to inform planning decisions
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence and drive results across cross-functional teams
• Be open and collaborative in all ways of working

Process Optimization

• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy across space planning operations
• Proven track record of process improvement and operational excellence
• Manage end to end store project / space optimization execution

Requirements

Professional Experience

• 3-5 years planning experience
• Retail experience required
• Proven experience in Merchandising, Planning, or Distribution leadership roles with demonstrated success in space optimization and capacity management

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing, mentoring, and developing teams
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence and drive results across cross-functional teams
• Communicates clearly in oral and written form
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with business partners

Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills

• Strategic thinker with exceptional analytical skills and advanced proficiency in retail mathematics and financial metrics
• Demonstrate expertise in financial modeling and performance analysis
• Creative problem‑solver with critical thinking abilities and a solutions‑oriented mindset

Technical Proficiency

• Proficient in all MS Office applications, including expert-level proficiency in Excel
• Experience with O9, Enterprise Planning / Island Pacific, IWD systems a plus
• Comfortable conducting database queries and creating reports
• Experienced at manipulating data from multiple sources

Personal Attributes

• Self‑motivated, resilient, and adaptable to changing business needs
• Must be dynamic, resilient, and happy to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Outstanding attention to detail with ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Adapts easily to changing situations and demonstrates flexibility in juggling priorities