What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchandise Planner position at PSI (Proteam Solutions)?
Merchandise Planner - EU Digital Commerce
Location: Hybrid - Columbus/Reynoldsburg, OH
Duration: Contract Opportunity
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Merchandise Planner to support the European Digital Commerce business for a leading global retail brand. This role is responsible for driving sales and inventory performance across the EU digital channel through strategic assortment planning, inventory optimization, demand analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.
The ideal candidate will have experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, demand forecasting, finance, or supply chain analytics and possess strong business acumen, exceptional Excel skills, and the ability to influence decisions through data-driven insights.
Key Responsibilities
Merchandise Planning & Business Analysis
Location: Hybrid - Columbus/Reynoldsburg, OH
Duration: Contract Opportunity
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Merchandise Planner to support the European Digital Commerce business for a leading global retail brand. This role is responsible for driving sales and inventory performance across the EU digital channel through strategic assortment planning, inventory optimization, demand analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.
The ideal candidate will have experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, demand forecasting, finance, or supply chain analytics and possess strong business acumen, exceptional Excel skills, and the ability to influence decisions through data-driven insights.
Key Responsibilities
Merchandise Planning & Business Analysis
- Manage sales plans, inventory levels, and business performance for the EU digital channel.
- Partner closely with the Victoria’s Secret Global Digital (VSGD) team to understand market trends, customer behavior, regional nuances, and emerging risks and opportunities.
- Analyze sales, inventory, and assortment performance to identify growth opportunities and maximize profitability.
- Develop assortment recommendations through tiering analysis, product performance evaluation, and inventory productivity metrics.
- Support Monthly Planning Committee (MPC) meetings by providing insights and recommendations to optimize inventory across multiple distribution centers and operating models.
- Partner with Merchandising teams to support assortment strategies, product launch timing, promotional initiatives, and markdown optimization.
- Monitor digital product activation timelines and ensure accurate flow of information between the Merchandise Assortment Tool (MAT) and Digital Active Date (DAD) systems.
- Ensure international-exclusive products successfully move through the Product Development Process (PDP), with all required product attributes accurately populated for EU digital platforms and franchise partner handoffs.
- Build strong relationships across Planning, Merchandising, Digital, Logistics, Product Development, and Global teams through effective communication and collaboration.
- Provide analytical support and respond to ad hoc business requests from cross-functional stakeholders.
- Manage inventory levels within the EU Distribution Center (DC), ensuring accurate inventory allocation and ring-fencing across channels.
- Track inbound receipts and collaborate with Merchandise Planners, Demand Forecasters, Deployment Analysts, and Supply Chain teams to maintain inventory accuracy.
- Continuously monitor in-season inventory performance and implement adjustments to minimize markdown exposure while achieving end-of-season inventory targets.
- Align global inventory expectations with brand deployment strategies through ongoing partnership and education with international teams.
- Partner with Logistics and UPS to develop and communicate accurate EU distribution center volume forecasts.
- Monitor inventory health, stock positions, sell-through rates, and replenishment needs to support optimal customer experience and financial performance.
- 3-5 years of experience in Merchandise Planning, Inventory Planning, Demand Forecasting, Allocation, Supply Chain Analytics, Finance, or a related analytical discipline.
- Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving abilities with experience translating data into actionable business recommendations.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and data analysis.
- Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint and Access.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions and levels of the organization.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment.
- Experience supporting international markets, global commerce, or cross-border retail operations.
- Background in retail planning, eCommerce, apparel, fashion, beauty, or specialty retail industries.
- Experience with assortment planning, inventory optimization, forecasting tools, or merchandise planning systems.
- Familiarity with product lifecycle processes and digital commerce operations.