Merchandise Planner

Overview

Plan and manage merchandise financials, OTB, and inventory to drive profitable sales.

Key Responsibilities

• otb management
• assortment planning
• inventory forecasting
• sales analysis
• margin optimization
• team collaboration

Tasks

The Retail Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing, executing, and managing strategic merchandise plans to drive profitable sales, optimize inventory, and achieve company financial objectives. This individual will partner closely with Merchandising, Buying, and Allocation teams to ensure the right product, quantity, and timing are aligned across multiple categories—including seasonal assortments. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in Open-to-Buy (OTB) management, assortment planning, and data-driven decision making in a dynamic retail environment. -Present plan recaps, in-season performance updates, and OTB reviews to leadership. -Evaluate historical performance, customer insights, and trend data to inform pre-season planning and future assortment strategies. -Develop and manage top-down and bottom-up merchandise financial plans across multiple categories, including core and seasonal businesses. -Collaborate with cross-functional partners in Merchandising, Allocation, and Supply Chain to ensure alignment between planning strategies and inventory execution. -Partner with Buyers and Merchants to build balanced assortments that reflect customer needs, market trends, and business strategies. -Manage inventory flow and ensure optimal stock levels to maximize sales while minimizing overstock and markdown liability. -Support in-season management through sales and inventory reforecasts, markdown recommendations, and promotional planning. -Own and manage the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process—forecasting, reviewing, and adjusting plans to align with sales trends, inventory productivity, and margin goals. -Analyze sales, inventory, and margin performance to identify risks and opportunities; provide actionable insights and recommendations.

Requirements

• excel
• aptos
• oracle
• jda
• open-to-buy
• bachelor's

What You Bring

-Demonstrated experience with seasonal planning and Open-to-Buy (OTB) management. -Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment. -Strong presentation and communication skills with an executive audience. -3–5+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning or inventory management, preferably across multiple product categories. -Ability to synthesize data into actionable strategies and communicate insights effectively across teams. -Team-oriented with strong collaboration and problem-solving abilities. -Experience in both brick-and-mortar and eCommerce retail environments. -Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, or a related field. -Working knowledge of assortment planning tools and inventory optimization systems. -Strong analytical, financial modeling, and forecasting skills; proficiency in Excel and planning systems (e.g., Aptos, Oracle, JDA, or similar).

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Benefits

-Competitive compensation and performance-based bonus potential. -Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off). -Opportunities for career development and growth within a dynamic retail organization.

About Iris Recruiting Solutions

-Offers executive search services, focusing on finding top-tier talent for specialized sectors. -With a strong history of connecting skilled professionals with leading companies, they offer tailored recruitment services. -Their expertise spans industries such as energy, infrastructure, industrial, and utilities, ensuring a broad range of placements. -Known for a client-centric approach, they work closely with businesses to understand their needs and deliver quality candidates. -Their consultants bring deep market knowledge, making them a trusted partner for both job seekers and employers. -A small yet agile team, capable of responding rapidly to client demands, often exceeding expectations.

Sector Specialisms