Freelance Planning Analyst

Overview

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Merchandise Planning Analyst to join our team. In this role, you will be a core member of the Merchandise Planning department, taking on vital responsibilities to ensure product strategies translate into profitable results. You will serve as a strategic partner to the Merchandising team. Your primary mission will be to manage inventory flow, optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) strategies, and analyze product performance to support accurate forecasting and business growth. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in retail planning to make an immediate and highly visible impact within a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Assume planning responsibility for a specific merchandise category, acting as the primary point of contact for inventory and financial health within that classification.
• Partner closely with the Merchandising team, providing quantitative insights and historical data to inform seasonal buys and assortment strategies.
• Build, maintain, and optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) processes and inventory forecasts to support business growth and maximize inventory productivity.
• Analyze weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales trends, margin performance, and inventory health to identify risks and opportunities.
• Support in-season business optimization by evaluating pricing scenarios, promotional impacts, and markdown strategies to maximize profitability.
• Respond to ad hoc merchandising requests and provide actionable analysis in a fast-paced environment.
• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes and improve data accessibility for cross-functional partners.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, retail analytics, or a related field.
• Specialty retail experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail metrics and planning concepts, including IMU, MMU, GMROI, sell-through, inventory turn, and Open-to-Buy (OTB).
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and inventory planning models.
• Demonstrated success partnering cross-functionally with Merchandising, Buying, Allocation, or related teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.