Description

The InColor Planning Manager is a key role in developing the Home Depot Account with Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises (dba InColor). As part of the Retail Ready Team, InColor works to provide clients with live plant products and merchandising services as a third-party vendor in large retail stores across the Colorado Region. Some of our product lines include finished bedding plant products, annual flowers, spring containers (hanging baskets/potted plants), vegetables, fall annuals, holiday planters, succulents, and much more!

The Home Depot Planning Manager is responsible for the planning and development of programs and product lines for our largest retail account. This position works closely with the Home Depot Project Coordinator (who is responsible for the internal greenhouse processes and product flow prior to receiving at the store) and the Field Managers (key managers responsible for caring for the product at the store at the merchandising level.) The Planning Manager reviews programs and builds proformas prior to the season, monitors overall program quality, SPEC, and execution of various programs by analyzing and monitoring daily sales and inventory by SKU at retail locations. 

This position’s primary focuses include the Home Depot client coordination, program monitoring/execution, and program needs such as purchasing materials such as plastics, and SKU performance. This position works independently with minimum supervision and is responsible for communicating proactively with both the client and internal management. 

During the peak merchandising season (between April and July), it would be typical for a Planning Manager to work 45-60 hours per week and walking multiple stores throughout the Colorado Region. During the peak planning season (typically August-October), it is typical for the Planning Manager to work 45-60 hours. This position would be required to travel out of state to client meetings 2-3 times per year, typically during the planning season. Off season hours usually are approximately 35-45 hours per week. 

An ideal candidate has proven experience working with retail clients to build rapport, develop new and existing programs/products, assists in selecting vendors/suppliers for materials, and making data-driven decisions as it relates to product lines, sales plans, and production quantities. An ideal candidate would express genuine enthusiasm for the position with an ability to solve unexpected challenges. 

Essential Functions/Duties:

· Develops rapport and strong client relationship by communicating with Home Depot Buyer and key management to understand their needs and how we can translate the regional/national vision for garden center into practical programs and overall merchandising practices.

· Work with internal Tagawa teams, Retail Business Manager, and Senior Account Manager to create Program plans for sales, production, and Merchandising (POG) to present and approve with the Buyer or Client representative.

· Fields technical or complex service questions from the client about product lines & programs, and works with the Business Development Manager, the Project Coordinator, or other internal greenhouse teams to find practical solutions. 

· Work with purchasing department and Young Plants division to communicate client requirements of hard goods and soft goods. Attend order planner meetings. 

· Work alongside the Purchasing Manager (Finance) and Home Depot Materials Manager to coordinate and manage specific plastic and tag (label) needs in compliance with Home Depot signage requirements within a required budget

· Participate in Variety Selection process with other Tagawa team members to plan and create designs for retail products. 

· Communicate SPEC and program expectations to Production/Greenhouse teams.

· Monitor store sales and financial performance to build production/sales forecasting data (both at a store, territory, and overall company level). This position also evaluates product lines to build proformas for multiple product SKU. 

· Work with Field Managers & Business Development Manager on POG (Plan-o-Gram) at the program level and set baseline requirements that each store needs to meet and execute (within reasonable parameters.) 

· Participate in Production Walks and create supporting reports for any templates and ensure product quality and spec prior to shipment of product from the greenhouses

· Work alongside the Home Depot Project Coordinator and Business Development Manager to review overall/YTD sales by grower week, and review inventory of live-good products within the greenhouse.

· Assist Accounting/Finance department if any issues arise regarding payments from Client.

· Perform Store walks to monitor product quality and spec after shipment.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the Planning Manager may be required to assist with various projects as needed as assigned by the HD Business Development Manager, Retail Business Manager, or CEO. 

Requirements

Basic Requirements / Competencies

Experience

- The candidate must have a proven ability to negotiate and make independent decisions that have large financial significance to the business or client. 3 years of experience in account management, client relations, business development, production planning, administration, sales, or building relationships with client is highly preferred, but not required.

- Requires experience using spreadsheets and synthesizing information to make decisions based on sales data analysis. 

Travel

It is required to travel between stores and out of state for part of this position. Employees who travel for business purposes must complete procedures to be on the Tagawa Greenhouse Designated Driver List

- Must hold and maintain a current and valid Driver’s License

- The MVR of all candidates is subject to company approval through our insurance company (Hortica). 

- Must have proof of insurance for your vehicle

Travel to the west coast, Chicago, or other states in the region may be required in the fall for meetings or training. Mileage and travel expenses are reimbursed as per company policy.

Communication & Language

- Must be courteous or respectful when dealing with clients, customers, or any member of the public while in the course and scope of Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises LLC (dba. InColor) business.

- Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating to clients, managers, vendors, co-workers, and employees in a respectful manner. 

- Must be able to communicate in both oral and written correspondence in English, and to effectively present information in both spoken and written forms using situational based language. 

- Must be able to communicate and respond efficiently in a timely manner to email correspondence using business appropriate language.

- This position must be able to provide input to make strategic decisions to management, deescalate issues within the store, and is responsible for communication and the coordination between multiple stakeholders including InColor management, Tagawa wholesale production and distribution, Client Store Management, and merchandising teams. 

- Experience with building customer/client relationships, conflict resolution, or account management preferred but not required.

Technology 

- Must be able to use or learn both Android & Apple IOS systems (iPad and Mobile Phone) to complete various reports on a variety of software.

- Requires intermediate computer literacy, including use of MSOffice (MS Word, MS Excel) and other inventory related computer software. Experience using SBI / Inventory tracking software preferred but not required.

All candidates must be 21 years of age and eligible to work in the United States. 

Candidates must be able to pass a Background Check (Federal/National) to be considered for employment.

This position requires employees to be on their feet for long periods of time. Must be able to lift 25-50lbs with or without reasonable accommodation. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to work in all Greenhouse conditions including wet, humid, dusty, dirty, and extreme hot/cold temperatures. While performing the duties of this job within a greenhouse or garden center environment, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. To prevent injury, employees must abide by the safety procedures set by Tagawa Greenhouse Ent., LLC. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

$70-$85k/salary