Assistant Retail Merchandise Planner

Summary

The Assistant Retail Merchandise Planner is responsible for day-to-day retail store planning, allocation, reporting and analysis. This position will assist in the assortment planning and allocation of inventory for all retail stores. The Planner evaluates stores’ inventory and market trends and recommends options to optimize inventory assortment, inventory accuracy and gross margin leading to improved sales and profitability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: Other duties may be assigned.

• Become fluent in company and department-specific applications, Outlook, NAV, KWI, SAP, etc.
• Prepare and distribute daily sales flash report.
• Prepare and distribute all merchandise reporting.
• Provides in-depth analysis and research to support department strategies and buy plans.
• Evaluate and monitor store sock levels at the SKU level to optimize inventory.
• Participate in development of demand forecast and updating systems accordingly.
• Maintain databases in multiple currencies, updating descriptions, naming conventions, pricing files, etc.
• Maintain seasonal and ad hoc product launch item set up.
• Execute weekly price changes.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for stock balance, reorders.
• Identify assortment and fullfillment opportunities.
• Enter all orders into KWI/Retail systems
• Log all orders and communicate on order to store teams.
• Follow flow of orders to fullfillment.
• Partner with warehouse team as needed.
• Troubleshoot all orders with stores and cross functional teams (IT, wholesale planning and warehouse teams).
• Investigate problem shipments to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Maintain inventory accuracy through in-depth research, cycle count maintenance, and physical inventory.
• Assist in the preparation and the physical stock take of store physical inventory.
• Maintain discontinued and promotion model lists and distribute to store teams.
• Partner with marketing and training on product launches and key initiatives, go to market strategies and product presentation.
• Ad hoc report development, system testing and roll out.
• Remain available for all department special projects and needs.

Qualifications

• Excellent computers skills – Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Power Point, Pivots, Vlookups, Advanced excel formulas to handle large data bases.
• Must be organized and able to multitask.
• Agile in navigating through ambiguities and changes.
• Ability think autonomously and to solve problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to build and maintain productive relationships with cross functional teams.
• Ability to interact with company executives, consultants, vendors, contractors, and people at all levels
• Strong work ethic, sense of urgency and commitment to achieving targets and deadlines.

Physical Requirements

Ability to pack boxes of supplies and other items to send to stores.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) or three to five years related experience in a corporate retail support role; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEOE