The Retail Direct-To-Consumer Merchandise Planner & Buyer is responsible for driving financial results to maximize sales, optimize inventory levels and manage inventory turn. This individual will develop, execute and communicate financial merchandise plans and strategies to support the merchandising, marketing and financial objectives. Responsible for analyzing and forecasting the business for multiple brands (Ecommerce) to create seasonal buys and allocation strategies. Will maintain the monthly divisional OTB and is able to speak to both pre-season and in-season plans. Responsibilities include weekly/monthly reporting and business management, assortment planning and buy plan guidance, forecasting and analysis, open-to-buy and inventory management and managing replenishments and allocation methods.
• Develop plans at department/category level including annual sales, gross margin, and inventory plans to ensure that financial objectives align with product opportunities.
• Execute, and communicate financial merchandise plans and strategies to support the buying, marketing and financial objectives.
• Communicate financial results, forecasts, and action plans to management and cross functional team on a weekly basis.
• Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by department and category level. Partner with buying to align financials and product opportunity.
• Evolve analytical tools as needed to address business needs and leadership direction.
• Recap and analyze sales results to plan and forecast in-season sales and inventory at the department level.
• Collaborate with merchandising/design team to build comprehensive assortment strategies based on hindsight analysis.
• Create sku breadth and depth recommendations to ensure appropriate amount of skus and depth of inventory is purchased to maximize turn.
• Establish inventory targets at entrance and exit of season to maximize profitability.
• Demonstrates logical analysis and problem-solving skills. Identify risks and opportunities by channel.
• Develop price reduction and exit recommendations with buying team.
• Partner with business leads for annual and seasonal shipment forecasts.