Merchandise Planner

Title: Planner III

Location: Atlanta, GA - 30313 - Min 1-2 days in office HYBRID

Part Time: 20 hours/week with potential to increase to 30 hours

Retail Merchandise Planner - 12-month Contract Role

Location: Based in Atlanta (AOC)

Merchandise Planner (supporting Licensing & Retail)

This role is responsible for all merchandise/inventory planning responsibilities including oversight of the logistics/supply chain for a new international retail store concept. This role is part of the Coca-Cola Global Licensing & Retail (L&R) team and will work in collaboration with the local Operating Unit and Operating Agency.

Key responsibilities include:

Oversee all merchandise related responsibilities for a new concept

Manage ongoing cross category merchandise assortment (apparel & hardlines) tailored to the target consumer & market and aligned to the overall strategic vision of the brand and store.

Responsible for planning and managing the Open-to-Buy for the store, ensuring targets are met including Sales, Gross Margin and Avg Stock.

Work with vendors and with the client's Store Merchandise Planners to place orders and forecast replenishment needs.

Coordinate order timing with US store order placement to ensure MOQ’s and cost targets are met.

Manage replenishment and in season reorders, ensuring product is in stock and arrives on time

Partner with logistics agency, international trade team and suppliers to manage all aspects of the supply chain.

Work with QA, Product Developer and Suppliers to ensure local product regulatory requirements are met.

Manage licensing contract amendments and new contracts for suppliers

Partner with Visual Merchandiser to execute compelling and profitable presentations and product placement.

Work with VM on an ongoing basis to re-merchandise as needed to maximize sales.

Establish and execute liquidation plans as needed

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Buyer, Planners, Strategy team, Visual Merchandising Coordinator, Product Developer, Marketing and Operating Agency

Conduct analysis and produce reporting and actionable recommendations on a weekly and monthly basis.

Provide category, class and item performance analysis and present to leadership

Continually review and analyze productivity, category and item selling, and recommend actions to optimize the business performance

Assess learnings and propose assortment changes as needed to maximize results.

Create Product Knowledge decks to educate store teams

Create and maintain assortment plans reflective of all products and costing information

Create product related presentations for leadership and cross functional teams

Requirements:

Retail merchandise planning experience in a fast-paced environment.

Strong understanding of retail KPIs and proven track record of driving business results

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Creative and strategic thinking.

Merchandise financial planning skills and solid experience managing Open to Buy.

In tune and consistently keeping up with consumer and market trends

Excellent collaboration and relationship building skills

Strong project management capabilities

Effective communication skills (written, oral, and presentation)

Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity

High-level of flexibility and ability to self-manage including tolerance for last minute changes.

Ability to thrive in a networked environment

High attention to accuracy and detail

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Power Point, Power BI

Successful performance record

Education: 4-year College Degree

Years of Experience: 5 years’ experience retail planning (preferably with apparel experience)

Experience:

Retail Merchandise Planning experience

Track record of delivering financial results

Experience with international retail stores preferred

Apparel/Accessories experience preferred

Experience launching new stores or concepts

Merchandise financial planning and Open to Buy management.

Experience leveraging data and insights from consumer data, industry trend and qualitative and quantitative research to drive results.