This role is responsible for the development of the merchandise plan including sales, margin, inventory turnover, and in stock percentage at the line, category, and appropriate class or key item level. In addition, is responsible for delivering sales and margin targets through flawless execution of the merchandise flow plan while achieving Distribution Center fill rate, inventory turnover, in-stock percentage and liability inventory goals. This position reports directly to the Director of Inventory Management, and has management responsibility for Inventory Analyst and Sr. Inventory Analyst. This associate works closely with their buying team, finance, stores, vendors, and the merchandising support team to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.

Responsibilities

Monitors department/line performance & makes appropriate mid-course corrections to forecasts
Incorporates modeling, situation analysis, problem diagnosis, & operations analysis to support business decision making with financial analysis
Participates in weekly & monthly in season business management meetings, presenting analysis, calling out issues and action items
Facilitates & completes the monthly & seasonal post mortem review process with data & analysis
Develops associates through interviews, selection, coaching, mentoring, performance management, talent management & succession planning
Develops & monitors pre-season, in-season, semi-annual, monthly and weekly business financial plans and forecasts that adhere to strategic and financial objectives
Develops Distribution Center (DC) level plans and forecasts fully communicating and integrating these plans with logistics and DC operating plans.
Supports the business review and line review processes with data and analysis
Supports the forecast and OTB meetings with data and analysis
Utilizes and maintains forecasting/planning tools to drive results
Ensures the department/line estimates, forecasts and working plans reflect current conditions
Creates monthly financial forecast (ROF) for sales, gross profit, inventory and other required elements in merchandise plan
Identifies trends, opportunities, and risks to current forecasts and the next period’s plan
Develops seasonal & tactical receipt plans for stores and DCs
Monitors and reviews the open-to-receive dollars weekly/monthly and provides recommendations to maximize profitability and stock/sales ratios, including proposing markdowns to meet flow and aged inventory targets
Supports the development of promotional sales estimates by providing the buying team with weekly, item or program level promotional estimates
Reconciles promotional estimates and buy quantities to the financial plan, the buyer’s sales demand forecasts and supports inventory requirements for out of line displays (end-caps, bulk stacks, Sears experience, etc.)
Analyzes promotional results with buying team
Partners with buying team to develop assortments based on affordability, breadth, depth, and receipt flow
Assists in tailoring the initial assortment
Develops merchandise exit strategies with buying team
Develops markdown management and liability inventory strategies that minimize markdowns and maximize inventory management in all levels of the supply chain
Determines regular markdown dollar plan
Determines merchandise depreciation dollar plan
Drives liquidation of liability inventory through use of appropriate tools
Serves as a business partner to the buying team
Monitors inventory performance and direct appropriate mid-course corrections to achieve targets
Selects appropriate replenishment strategies (weeks of coverage, review method, etc.)
Ensures that allocation & replenishment system settings are tuned to optimize inventory productivity
Sets frequency for on-order review and clean up
Determines allocation strategy
Manages Analyst support of vendor integration related initiatives
Oversees Purchase Order creation & maintenance by IAs.
Maintains productive and supportive working relationships with stores, districts, regions and vendors

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering or a related field
5+ years experience with a mix of buying, planning and placement responsibilities
Prior experience in a leadership role, including performance management
Detail oriented with strong managerial, planning, organization and project management skills
Ability to mediate differences of opinion and facilitate resolution when conflicts arise
Ability to participate in cross-functional initiatives and projects
Demonstrated knowledge of industry practices and current trends
Strong understanding of the supply chain
Strong knowledge of Merchandising and Retail Systems Required