Manage the financial success of a department by meeting sales, gross margin and inventory turn goals.
Develop pre-season merchandise financial plans to the classification level that support department strategies
Reconcile merchandise plans against top-side goals and assortment plans
Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by department and class.
Provide analytical inputs to support the Buyer in merchandise strategy planning, assortment planning and buy planning processes
Collaborate with merchandising to develop and communicate a comprehensive strategy that aligns future financial and product opportunities by department and class.
Recap and analyze actual sales results to plan, forecasts in-season sales and inventories on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis
Develop monthly forecasts of sales and inventory for all basic styles and develop strategies to meet department financial goals.
Lead Open-to-Buy Process; present financial forecast and supporting action plans in monthly open-to-buy forecast meeting
Participate in company and Brand initiatives as appropriate
Communicate financial results, forecasts, and action plans to manager and buying team on a weekly basis.
Provide pricing and promotional recommendations that align with department financial goals
Present financial plans, forecasts and strategies in key meetings
Support a collaborative, innovative and results-oriented environment with peers and cross-functional team.
Develop Key Item plans and provide analytics required for planning and managing key items in-season
Oversee the development of allocations by store and replenishment analysis/forecasting
Oversee style/SKU count analysis
Build a high-functioning planning team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with members of cross-functional team
Prioritize and set expectations around key deliverables with direct reports and buying team
Oversee store clustering process and provide location recommendations regarding product placement and maximization of trend performance
Partners with buyer on development of reinventions, visual initiatives, and collaborations
Assist the buy process by performing planning functions within the assortment planning/item planning tool
Lead projects and analytics that impact the broader division or company
Provide coaching and development to other planners and assistant planners within the division
