About us KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant, and Talbots. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good. Associate Merchandise Planner Ann Taylor Ann Taylor embodies and celebrates the spirit, heritage, and confidence of American women leading the lives they love. Since its beginnings, Ann Taylor has been committed to providing women with everything they need to feel inspired and motivated as they navigate their multifaceted lives. Our effortlessly polished styles are thoughtfully designed to go anywhere—from the office to special occasions (and everywhere in between). Discover a culture centered on empowering employees, with access to industry leaders and tools you need to expand your skills and stretch your abilities. We'll meet you at every milestone with opportunities and benefits to make life better in and outside of work (not to mention your closet). Ready to join us? About the role The Associate Merchandise Planner builds financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans for departments in a given area at a multichannel level. The Associate Planner will also use analytics to make client focused business decisions to achieve sales, margin and turn across both channels. In partnership with their Manager, this person will manage and plan merchandise inventory positions and markdown strategies to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives. Provides in-season financial projections and strategies. Identifies risks and opportunities to maximize profits. Contribute to projects resulting in improved departmental systems and efficiencies. The impact you can have Develop and communicate a comprehensive pre-season planning strategy for cross channel inventory Reforecast business in-season based on current performance Ensure that each channel is planned and managed at appropriate growth rates and inventory is proactively managed Provide Merchants with analytics to support assortment decisions by channel and develop promotional and markdown strategies to maximize profitability and sales Partner with cross-functional teams to communicate division level financial merchandising plans that support the seasonal financial objectives Strategize, develop and present seasonal key item plans that support sales and GM goals for stores and dot com Identify and communicate potential inventory liabilities and drive appropriate actions to resolution Use retail financial measurements to evaluate short-term and long-term impacts of business decisions Analyze quarterly hindsight You’ll bring to the role Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent plus 2-4 years of retail buying, planning or financial analysis experience Results driven; strategic, conceptual and innovative thinker Expert command of retail math concepts, applications and statistical analysis Possess strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional partners Detail oriented, with excellent follow-through skills Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills Proficient in Microsoft Office applications – specifically Excel Benefits Merchandise discount at our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Ann Taylor, LOFT, Talbots & Lane Bryant (in store and online) Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities* Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K)* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Time off – paid time off & holidays* The target salary range for this role is: $65,000-75,000 *Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role. This position works in a hybrid model, with three days per week worked in the Times Square Tower (NYC) location and two days per week worked remotely. #LI-MJ1 Location: Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036 Position Type: Regular/Full time Equal Employment Opportunity The Company is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified people at all levels. It is our policy in all personnel actions to ensure that all associates and potential associates are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate in any of our employment policies and practices. All associates are expected to follow these principles in all relationships with other associates, applicants, or others with whom we do business. KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant, and Talbots. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good. To reduce potential fraud, we remind all applicants: • It won’t cost you money to apply for a job with us. Our brands will never ask for money – that includes a wire transfer or a credit card. There will be no charge for equipment, background checks or other expenses in submitting a job application with us. • We will never ask for your bank account information as part of the interview process. Your bank account information should only be entered during the onboarding process after you are hired to set up direct deposit of wages. • Interviews will be conducted in-person or through a secure video call, using a teleconference application that uses email addresses only (not telephone numbers). • Watch closely for email addresses with misspelled or “spoofed” company names in communications during the interview process. Examples of suspicious addresses include “Info@company.net” instead of “Info@company.com,” and misspelled company names like “Info@companie.com” or “Info@compaany.com.” • If you do apply to our Brands through an official job board site rather than using our official website (https://www.ascena.com/home/our-careers/work-with-us/), report suspicious communication immediately to the site or platform used to submit your job application (such as an official job board site). • If you have any questions or are not sure if you’ve applied to our Brands, please reach out to myHRSupport@AscenaRetail.com to confirm. • If you believe you may be a victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement.