The Director of Merchandise Planning and Allocation is responsible for achieving the company’s sales and gross margin objectives through development of merchandise plans and optimal utilization of inventory. This position partners with the Vice President & other executive team members to execute key initiatives around Inventory Mgt.

Partner with the Merchants to develop strategic plans to achieve the company financial objectives. Lead and mentor a team of planning and allocation professionals on the day-to-day execution of merchandise planning and inventory management. Maintain process and technology to support the business process. Significant partner with the Buying team.

 
What You'll Do:

• Operate as the financial lead for Merchandising and own the merchandise planning, inventory management, allocation and replenishment, financial planning forecasting, and financial analysis across all product categories. This includes key financial metrics, achievement of financial parameters, and leading the business to make profitable merchandise decisions.
• Maximize sales, margin, and turn through proper planning and execution of merchandise placement.
• Lead and manage the Merchandise Planning team in the development, analysis and revision of sales, inventory, markdowns and profit.
• Ensure that the financial strategy pursued is consistent with the budget and profit parameters.
• Accountable to manage the company’s inventory ownership positions within the financial parameters, that support the sales and forward forecast projections aligned with the effective utilization of cash flow.
• Maintain risk assessment models, rolling OTB forecasts and strict merchandise financial plans that are used to determine buy levels and maintain profitability to budgets.
• Drive allocation strategies, processes and procedures to achieve the financial objectives of the company; update and improve as needed to accommodate increased complexities.
• Identify and address merchandise opportunities in specific stores by analyzing sales and inventory performance as well as space productivity.
• Incorporate company’s financial objectives into department/class merchandise plans.
• Manage monthly forecasting reviews – Deliver results to the Vice President and other key constituents.
• Track the performance of aged/clearance merchandise; initiate appropriate actions in order to achieve the seasonal performance goals.
• Manage the flow of receipts.
• Partner with all cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.
• Recommend and implement technology to support ongoing improvement in process and efficiency based on the demands and growth of the business.
• Drive new business development from business case through implementation.
• Propose and deliver business recaps and financial strategies. Through the planning team, lead MPR (Merchandise Plan Review) for the company’s merchandise categories.
• Hire, coach and develop a quality team including, development planning, succession planning and regular performance reviews to address personal growth and development needed to foster a productive, focused team.
• Provide leadership and the necessary formal and informal training, including one-on-one development, needed to produce a team that contributes consistent financial growth to the business.
• Interact and collaborate with all areas of the company, including Merchandising, Stores, the Distribution Center and Senior Management.
• Ensure in-stock position on core and key items.
• Develop and present information to executive teams
• Recommend action and communicate issues that relate to Merchandising and may hinder Company’s ability to achieve our financial objectives.
• Operate as a supporter and change agent for new system processes and implementations.