Retail Merchandise Planner

Title : Retail Merchandise Planner

Location : Atlanta, GA – 30313 (Part Time/Hybrid)

Duration : 12 Months contract

Pay Rate : $71-$81/Hr. on W2

Shift : Morning Shift

Merchandise Planner (supporting Licensing & Retail)

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

Location: Based in Atlanta (AOC). Min 1-2 days in office

Role Overview

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 company’s Global Licensing & Retail (L&R) team and will work in collaboration with the local Operating Unit and Operating Agency.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 US company 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 the 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 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 product and costing information.
• Create product-related presentations for leadership and cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Experience:

• Retail merchandise planning experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs and a proven track record of driving business results.
• Merchandise financial planning skills and solid experience managing Open-to-Buy.
• Experience leveraging data and insights from consumer data, industry trends, and qualitative and quantitative research.
• Track record of delivering financial results.
• Apparel/Accessories experience preferred.
• Experience with international retail stores preferred.
• Experience launching new stores or concepts.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Creative and strategic thinking.
• In tune with 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, PowerPoint, Power BI.
• Education: 4-year College Degree.

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