What are the responsibilities and job description for the Demand Planner position at Kendra Scott?
About Kendra Scott: We are a fun, talented and driven team dedicated to providing our customers with gorgeous products and a WOW! experience. Family, fashion and philanthropy are at the core of our company and though we move at a very fast pace, we are committed to maintaining a family-oriented work environment and giving back to our community. A passion for great design, dedication to innovation and a strong social media presence are our building blocks for creating a unique and engaging lifestyle brand across all channels, including retail stores, wholesale accounts and e-commerce. Our headquarters are located in the heart of Austin, Texas, and we embrace the unique vibe and energy of our hometown as an inspiration for our brand and company culture.
Position Overview
Reporting to our Demand Planning Manager, our Demand Planner will primary be responsible for product level forecasting and buying for all categories and channels, partner cross functionally to gain alignment, and ensure financial goals are achieved while supporting overall company initiatives.
Responsibilities
BUYING AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT:
Position Overview
Reporting to our Demand Planning Manager, our Demand Planner will primary be responsible for product level forecasting and buying for all categories and channels, partner cross functionally to gain alignment, and ensure financial goals are achieved while supporting overall company initiatives.
Responsibilities
BUYING AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT:
- Responsible for inventory management of categories, including forecasting and buying responsibilities, ensuring in stock rates to maximize revenue while hitting turn targets.
- Builds product buys for both replenished and seasonal SKUs.
- Proactively achieve investment alignment from all cross functional partners to ensure investments/buys are supporting overall initiatives and key feature items.
- Drive the team to develop and present strategies, evaluate performance, chase pertinent opportunities, and collaborate on assortment edits
- Responsible for out-of-stock reporting, ensuring products in season are stocked at the warehouse for replenishment
- Facilitate and manage bottoms up forecasting exercises of all categories, communicate any risks to MPA partners and Finance
- Oversee SKU level exit strategies and markdowns as well as identify items to maximize promotional and marketing strategies
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine execution plans that support Planning and Merchandising strategies and goals
- Partner closely with Merchandising on assortment and pricing for new product launches, communicating any risks and ensuring IMU and financial targets are achieved
- Share product performance, trends, and key insights with Design and Merchandising to help support line plan development for future assortments
- Partner with channel heads to continuously understand inventory needs, requests, opportunities and risks within their business
- Strategize and collaborate with cross functional teams on future promotional plans, ensuring financial targets are achieved and teams are aligned on execution
- Partner closely with Allocation on channel distribution strategy, ensuring buy strategy and priority items are supported
- Collaborate with Retail Operations team on employee purchasing strategy, contests, training content, and specific employee buys
- Partner with Wholesale Managers on strategies for buying and forecasting, ensuring Wholesale Revenue goals and strategies are supported while turning inventory
- Ensure clear, 360-degree communication with CFTs, gaining buy in on new initiatives, strategies, successes and opportunities
- Drive influence with cross functional teams and senior leadership to ensure alignment of investment and financial goals
- Experience forecasting, managing receipts and total open-to-buy required
- 3 years of experience in retail buying/planning; Jewelry/Accessory experience a plus
- Analytical ability and proficiency in retail math and inventory management
- High level of experience using Excel and other tools to analyze a business to drive results
- 4 Year College degree required; B.S Degree in Retail Merchandising or Business preferred
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, including prioritization, planning, task delegation and communication of big picture
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and follow up are critical
- Ability to communicate complex issues, risks and opportunities in easily understood and concise manner, with specific and complete information; Communicates 360 degrees, altering communication styles to meet audience need
- Strong leader with experience in supporting and growing a multi-channel organization; ability to excel as strategic and/or hands on leader and adapt as needed
