What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchandising Assortment Planner position at Mason Companies, Inc?
JOB SUMMARY:
The Merchandising Assortment Planner is responsible for a wholistic review of statistical data, and the development of assortment recommendations based on those findings. The goal of the Merchandising Assortment Planner is to improve overall profitability and inventory productivity. This role will work closely with cross functional partners to drive corporate initiatives to meet financial expectations.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The below listing of essential functions is not an inclusive listing of all duties that may be requested to be performed by supervisor or manager.
Preseason Assortment Planning:
The below listing of essential and periodic functions is not an inclusive listing of all duties that may be required to be performed.
Work is generally sedentary, with no specific need for physical coordination or effort. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. May require physical effort associated with using the computer to access information, or occasional standing, walking, lifting needed to carry out everyday activities.
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Tasks do not expose employee to physically unpleasant or hazardous conditions.
TRAINING/ORIENTATION:
A training plan will be customized to the individual.
Mason Companies is committed to cultivating thriving relationships. We welcome all individuals, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity or experience.
POSITION CLASSIFICATION:
JOB TITLE: Merchandising Assortment Planner
DEPARTMENT: Merchandising
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Director of Merchandising Operations and Inventory Management
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DATE EDITED/REVIEWED: 03/02/2026
The Merchandising Assortment Planner is responsible for a wholistic review of statistical data, and the development of assortment recommendations based on those findings. The goal of the Merchandising Assortment Planner is to improve overall profitability and inventory productivity. This role will work closely with cross functional partners to drive corporate initiatives to meet financial expectations.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The below listing of essential functions is not an inclusive listing of all duties that may be requested to be performed by supervisor or manager.
Preseason Assortment Planning:
- Analyze product offerings and sales results to determine optimal assortment offerings for future seasons.
- Recommend SKU counts by brand, product hierarchy and sales channel.
- Present exhaustive assortment plans to key stake holders. These include but are not limited to Buyers, Inventory Analysts, Divisional Merchandising Managers and the Vice President of Merchandising.
- Collaborate with key stake holders to understand any preliminary future trends that would influence overall assortment recommendations.
- Utilize channel and brand specific customer profiles to ensure assortment offerings align with target customers.
- Routinely review progress to Assortment Plan execution. Report findings to Merchandising Leadership team and offer recommendations to rectify any deviations.
- Develop preseason financial plans based on recommended assortment offerings. This includes sales, margin, cost of goods sold and receipts.
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to understand corporate strategies that would directly influence sales, margin and inventory trends.
- Review in season sales performance versus assortment plan. Deliver in depth analysis to key stake holders.
The below listing of essential and periodic functions is not an inclusive listing of all duties that may be required to be performed.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Merchandising, Marketing or related field preferred. Will consider candidates without a bachelor’s degree who have 5-7 years of requisite experience.
- 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in Merchandising, Merchandise Financial Planning or Inventory Management preferred.
- Experience in merchandising, product management, or a similar role within a corporate retail environment.
- Strong understanding of retail financial metrics and processes.
- Familiarity of retail buying processes and market timelines.
- Proven ability to analyze complex data sets and develop strategies based on analysis.
- Strong organization skills, time management and attention to detail.
- Proactive problem solving and process improvement mindset.
- Ability to work and problem solve independently.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and external vendors.
- Knowledge of the footwear, apparel, and general merchandise categories is a plus.
- Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Microsoft Excel.
Work is generally sedentary, with no specific need for physical coordination or effort. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. May require physical effort associated with using the computer to access information, or occasional standing, walking, lifting needed to carry out everyday activities.
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Tasks do not expose employee to physically unpleasant or hazardous conditions.
TRAINING/ORIENTATION:
A training plan will be customized to the individual.
Mason Companies is committed to cultivating thriving relationships. We welcome all individuals, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity or experience.
POSITION CLASSIFICATION:
JOB TITLE: Merchandising Assortment Planner
DEPARTMENT: Merchandising
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Director of Merchandising Operations and Inventory Management
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DATE EDITED/REVIEWED: 03/02/2026