MERCHANDISE PLANNER

About the Role:

As a Merchandise Planner at Watson Apparel & All Star Sports in VA04, you will play a critical role in driving the financial success of our retail operations by developing and executing effective merchandise strategies. Your primary focus will be to analyze sales trends, inventory levels, and market demand to optimize product assortments and maximize profitability. You will collaborate closely with buying, marketing, and store teams to ensure the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities. This role requires a strong analytical mindset combined with a deep understanding of retail dynamics to forecast sales accurately and manage inventory efficiently. Ultimately, your work will directly impact customer satisfaction and the overall growth of our retail business by ensuring merchandise aligns with consumer preferences and business goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in merchandise planning, retail analytics, or inventory management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with merchandise planning or retail management software.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the retail apparel or sporting goods industry.
• Familiarity with advanced planning systems such as SAP, Oracle Retail, or JDA.
• Knowledge of consumer behavior and market research techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Certification in supply chain management or retail analytics is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans including sales, inventory, and margin targets.
• Analyze historical sales data and market trends to forecast future product demand and adjust plans accordingly.
• Collaborate with buyers and suppliers to plan product assortments and ensure optimal stock levels across all store locations.
• Monitor inventory performance and implement strategies to minimize stockouts and excess inventory.
• Prepare regular reports on merchandise performance and provide actionable insights to senior management.
• Coordinate with marketing and store operations teams to support promotional activities and product launches.
• Continuously evaluate and improve merchandise planning processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Skills:

The required skills such as data analysis and proficiency in Excel are essential for interpreting sales trends and inventory data to make informed merchandise decisions. Strong communication skills enable you to collaborate effectively with buyers, marketing teams, and store managers to align merchandise plans with business objectives. Analytical skills are used daily to forecast demand accurately and adjust inventory levels to optimize sales and reduce waste. Preferred skills like familiarity with advanced planning software enhance your ability to automate and streamline planning processes, increasing efficiency. Additionally, understanding consumer behavior helps tailor merchandise assortments to meet customer preferences, driving higher engagement and sales.

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000