Merchandise Planner

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300 brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for building financial sales, gross margin, and inventory plans for both pre-season and in-season time periods. Partner with Buying & Merchandising to create and deliver local assortment strategies maximizing sales and profits. Responsible for the successful development, execution, and communication of financial and inventory plans. Provide analytics and support to the Merchandising organization and Executive leadership on business performance.

• Coordinate the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly merchandise plans.
• Construct merchandise purchase schedules, initial product deliveries, and in-season merchandise flow.
• Manage monthly department level open-to-buy activities.
• Provide expert analysis on trends and recommendations to influence cancellations, future purchases, and assortment strategies.
• Analyze historic performance to identify areas of opportunity or risk.
• Prepare preseason promotional and markdown strategy through partnership with buyer and merchandising teams.
• Develop, maintain, and update set of tools & reports to support business needs.
• Establish appropriate processes & tools to review product assortments; provide data & analysis to support decision making.
• Maintain business processes and serve as subject matter expert for process improvements.

• Partner with allocation & supply chain teams to implement consistent and profitable in-season replenishment strategies and practices.
• Develop enterprise-wide risk mitigation plans and execute when appropriate.
• Coordinate product assortments and allocations with store needs.
• Manage hot market events by communicating and quantifying opportunities.
• Manage location intensive assortments.
• Manage local/regional relevant assortments and business solutions.
• Support and adhere to all company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide excellent customer service per HW&L policy manual.
• Represent planning and at times present to executives, employees, and partners.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, or related field.
• 3–5 years merchandising, planning, buying, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of retail math and measures used in financial reporting.
• Proven ability to perform independently with minimal supervision.
• Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel; proficiency in Access, PowerPoint, and Word; ability to learn technical applications quickly.
• Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from qualitative & quantitative data.
• Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to use rigorous logic to solve problems with effective solutions.

• Able to build constructive and effective relationships across broad groups.
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities and deliver meaningful results.
• Effective in various presentation settings to peers and executives.
• Can present ideas and direction that lead to action.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed goals.
• Identifies and communicates risks; recommends changes to prevent disruptions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• While performing duties of this job, employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear; occasionally stand, walk, use hands to finger/handle/feel, reach with hands/arms, and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Visual abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Travel: Less than 10% travel required.