Merchandise Financial Planner
About the role
The Merchandise Financial Planner (Planner) supports the development of strategic merchandise plans that align with company goals. They are responsible for developing and managing pre-season and in-season merchandise financial plans, including sales, markdowns, margins, inventory, and open-to-buy. This position also involves reforecasting financial plans based on performance trends and market dynamics, analyzing historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities, and providing insights on category performance, sales trends, and inventory productivity. The Planner collaborates with buyers, location planners, and allocation teams to align financial plans with assortment strategies, prepares and presents financial reports, analysis, and recommendations to senior leadership, monitors inventory levels, and recommends actions to optimize stock-to-sales ratios. Additionally, they collaborate with allocation teams to manage replenishment and ensure the timely flow of merchandise.
Qualifications and attributes
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, or a related retail position
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel, planning systems, and reporting tools
- Deep understanding of key retail metrics (sales, gross margin, turn, weeks of supply, open-to-buy)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines