Associate Planner, Retail

The Retail Associate Planner drives sales for assigned categories/brands through consistent focus on studying the business, monitoring inventory and sales performance, and providing analysis and action plans to optimize sales and inventory. Key functions include tracking performance of existing products, communicating findings to the planner and planning manager, and helping in the determination of next steps. The Associate Planner participates in developing in-season forecasts and future merchandise plans, supports the planner and planning manager in maintaining the OTB; and establishes the necessary behaviors and routines for achieving merchandise financial targets (e.g. revenue, units, AUR, margin).

ESSENTIAL JOB RESULTS-

• Support the planner and planning manager in the OTB process. Tracking sales and inventory to plan and communicating issues on a timely basis.

• Maintain current knowledge of OTB plan and play an active role to ensure the receipt plans are filled according to the write schedule. Participate in weekly/monthly in-season forecast and OTB meetings.

• Reforecast sales bi-monthly and communicate results and critical issues to the manager. Partner with planner and planning manager to develop action plans to increase or decrease inventory as needed to reconcile OTB.

• Drive sales by analyzing trends, forecasting, and providing quarterly and seasonal plans by gender/brand/sub-class and skus 9 months in advance of buying season. Included are category, style, color, type and material. Ensure the purchases meet the plan.

• Partner with planner to actively manage product lifecycles and inventory flow. Develop exit strategies and transition strategies for major product platforms; provide guidance on cancelations, markdown needs, and in store inventory plans and models. Review/communicate with buying team and determine next steps.

• On a monthly and quarterly basis, report on the sales and inventory results to plan and LY.

• Partner with merchandising and store planning to review pre distribution 30 days after orders are placed. Review orders with in-store date 30 days out to identify any changes required. Prioritize key styles/categories for delivery. Ensure pre-allocations meet store/cluster targets.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITES-

• None

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES-

• No

JOB REQUIREMENTS-

• Strong aptitude with numbers and clear understanding of retail math. Proficiency in using financial metrics and reports to measure the performance of the business. Understand how decisions impact financial results.

• Experience in SKU level and category level planning, financial planning process and report/modeling building.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to compile and analyze large sets of data.

• Strong organizational skills – ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to communicate persuasively, influentially, and responsibly across a cross-functional team.

• Excels in team environments and in building/developing strong interpersonal relationships, while maintaining an individual determination to accomplish goals.

• Ability to travel 0-10% of time.

• Passionate about customer service.

• Driven to excel and succeed, taking full ownership of his or her success.

• Problem solving

• Time Management

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Self-motivated

• Persistent

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE-

• Minimum 2-4 years Merchandise Planning, Buying experience in retail – preferably within Footwear

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience

• Advanced computer skills (Excel – pivot tables/v-lookups/etc., Word, Internet)

The pay range for this role is $75,000-$90,000/yr USD

About Skechers
Skechers (NYSE: SKX), a global, Fortune 500® brand develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Developing comfort technologies is the foundation of all we do – delivering stylish, innovative, and quality products. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e-commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,200 company-and third-party-owned retail locations. Headquartered in Southern California, with offices and distribution centers around the globe, Skechers has spent 30 years helping people of all ages look and feel good.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Skechers is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. Skechers provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment without regard race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic established by local, state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants for employment who require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job should request appropriate accommodation by emailing benefits@skechers.com.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The skills, abilities and physical demands described are representative of those duties that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified for the job position, to perform the essential functions.