What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Director position at EMERGING BLUE?
Job Description
We are searching for a Director, Planning and Merchandising for our client, an omni-channel consumer goods company, to build and lead their product planning function, connecting design, development, and sales across all channels. This role serves as the critical bridge between the studio and the market, translating insights into actionable assortment and sales plans to drive stronger product-market fit and smarter decision-making.
This role is based in office 5 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
We are searching for a Director, Planning and Merchandising for our client, an omni-channel consumer goods company, to build and lead their product planning function, connecting design, development, and sales across all channels. This role serves as the critical bridge between the studio and the market, translating insights into actionable assortment and sales plans to drive stronger product-market fit and smarter decision-making.
This role is based in office 5 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee integrated planning processes that align design, product development, and sales objectives across channels.
- Partner with FP&A and Finance to create data-driven forecasts, financial targets, and inventory strategies that support company goals.
- Lead assortment and sales planning, ensuring each channel, Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale, Event/Corporate Gifting, and Online Discount, has clear ownership and tailored product strategies.
- Establish a disposition model to optimize end-of-life and markdown strategies across channels.
- Collaborate with the Studio to provide upstream insights that inform design and development priorities and downstream validation through sales performance.
- Define and structure the future planning organization, identifying capabilities and talent needs to scale the function.
- Partner closely with Wholesale and Sales leaders to inform buys, channel forecasts, and product flow.
- Monitor performance against plan and adjust strategies in real time to improve margin, turnover, and sell-through.
- 7–10 years of experience in merchandise, assortment, or financial planning, with at least 3 years in eyewear, fashion, or accessories.
- Proven track record of building or evolving a planning function that connects design, product, and sales.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience partnering cross-functionally with finance, product, and sales.
- Comfortable leading through ambiguity, able to define processes and structure in a growing, creative organization.
- Proficiency with planning systems and data tools (e.g., Excel, NetSuite, ERP/MRP systems).
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence across creative and commercial teams.