Analyst, Assoc Merch Planning

Our values start with our people. Join a team that values you! Bring your talents to Ross, a leading off‑price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, a strong track record of success and growth, and a commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion, and community. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, CA, with buying offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston, and eight distribution centers nationwide.

About the role

The Assistant Planner is a learning role that builds a foundation for a future career as a Planner. Through structured training and one‑on‑one apprenticeship with a skilled Planning Manager, you will contribute to the management of in‑season plans and the building of pre‑season plans in support of regional strategies. You will learn to maximize sales potential and minimize risks at the region and store level, develop an understanding of key performance indicators such as performance to plan, same‑store sales, and turn, and begin developing critical relationships with the Planning team.

Responsibilities

• Review future plans based on historical performance and knowledge of future business conditions.
• Support the Planning Manager in creating initial seasonal plans.
• In partnership with the Planning Manager, prepare hindsight analysis and collaborate with Planning counterparts at key fiscal points (e.g., events/holidays and quarterly); present performance recaps to cross‑functional teams and/or leadership.
• Propose recommendations to capitalize on opportunities and/or reduce risk for the next season/year (e.g., influence product‑flow changes to drive sales or reduce liabilities).
• Identify risks and opportunities by product and region; partner with the Planning Manager to propose recommendations.
• Work with cross‑functional teams (Store/Region Planning, Merchandise Planning, and Allocation) to drive business through product‑ or store‑specific strategies.
• Review higher‑level product data to validate the mix of assortment within a region using additional reporting tools.
• Modify system‑generated store‑level plans by resolving outliers, exceptions, and aligning them to business strategies.

Requirements

• Strong communication skills: read the situation, actively listen, ask clarifying questions, weave a story out of numbers, and build relationships.
• Flexibility: able to pivot, adapt, and receive feedback.
• Results‑driven: tenacious, achievement‑focused, able to prioritize work and deliver with accuracy.
• Intellectually curious: analyze and draw conclusions, think critically, and see the big picture.
• Resilient: persistent, persuasive, focused on goals, and able to find systematic and creative solutions.
• Analytical mindset: strong analytical, quantitative, and Excel skills with retail‑math knowledge.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Benefits

• Affordable health insurance options and a personal medical‑plan concierge.
• 401(k) with employer match and life insurance.
• Ample PTO including accrued vacation, paid holidays, Diversity Day, Summer Fridays, and the ability to purchase additional vacation.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Access to health and wellness benefits such as BetterHelp and Headspace.
• Charitable donations matched by the Ross Stores Foundation.
• Additional benefits vary by level and position and are subject to change.