Associate Merchandise Planner

About the role

The Associate Category Management Planner will be a key business partner with Category Manager and Category Director (CM/CD) to ensure achievement of department goals in terms of sales, gross margin and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Provide CD/CM with analysis and recommendation to optimize sales, margin and inventory in season recommendations to optimize seasonal plans
• Ensure corporate inventory initiatives are included in dept strategies
• Optimize seasonal inventory flow
• In season management and execution of basic assortment exit strategies for resets
• Partner with Financial Planner to develop and execute SKU rationalization goals
• Purchase Planning:
  • Using MFP (Michaels Financial Planning) to create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans at subclass level for seasonal and trend programs
  • Owns MFP administration for seasonal and basic plans
  • Incorporates correction of errors
  • Recommend "wave breaks" for seasonal flow
  • Recommend optimal inner and master packs
  • Work with pricing and CD/CM to make appropriate in season MD recommendations for seasonal and trend product
  • Evaluate forward buys on market deals and other opportunities
  • Develop and adhere to critical timelines
• Assortment Planning:
  • Ensure assortments are completed within specific time frames
  • Participate in assortment plan review with category mgt team for seasonal and SBA assortments by analyzing historical information, and make appropriate recommendations
• Reset Support:
  • Develop and implement MD strategy following reset financial timeline
  • Implement discontinue timing
  • Implement order placement timing for new product with CD/CM and Replenishment Team
  • Monitor progress of reset activities and integrate into MFP sales, margin and inventory forecast
  • Update finance partner on any activities that would require updating reset financials
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Minimum Education: BS or equivalent Business, retail or related field
• Minimum Type Of Experience: 2-5 years in retail
• Numerical analysis and project management experience

Qualifications

• Preferred Type Of Experience: 2+ years in retail planning or allocation preferred
• Planning system skills preferred

Skills

• Microsoft Office literate, especially Excel

Benefits

At The Michaels Companies Inc., our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration. As the leading destination for creating and celebrating in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com. Michaels offers a range of benefits to support team members and their families. Depending on position and eligibility, team members may have access to a 401(k) with employer match, an Employee Assistance Program, medical, dental, and vision coverage, telemedicine services, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, and various voluntary insurance options. All team members enjoy everyday perks such as employee discounts and access to partner discount programs. For a summary of benefits, visit the Michaels Benefits at a Glance page. For additional information regarding benefits, visit MIKBenefits.com Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all customers to create, innovate and be better together. Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).