Merchandise Planner

Position Summary:

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing, executing, and analyzing inventory movement and purchases for our fair trade, international and domestic artisan product orders based on forecasting and budget guidelines. The Merchandise Planner will support company-owned brick and mortar inventory management by maintaining the back-end SKU management of the company’s entire inventory system, inclusive of running, writing, and sending weekly replenishment orders. The Merchandise Planner also supports the various revenue channels by monitoring and moving product between them, based on sales trends and specific needs. This full time, exempt role is hybrid, requiring the candidate to be in the office on Mondays and Wednesday. Living within no more than 1 hour drive from the office is preferable.

Position Duties/Responsibilities:

SKU Management and Store Replenishment (40%)

• Plan inventory levels and reorder strategies for international and domestic purchases to achieve top line revenue goals.
• Allocate new item quantities by channel based on both initial store presentation standards and equitable forward weeks of supply.
• Set up monthly new item collections to be active in NAV for store replenishment.
• Manage allocation of reorder inventories by channel based on sales history, missed sales opportunities due to stock outs, fulfillment of backorders.
• Manage replenishment min/max levels by SKU by store in NAV, inclusive of seasonal modification.
• Manage allocation and stock balancing movement of inventory between channels in NAV as needed.
• Monitor store requests for supplies and special product needs.
• Manage domestic vendor SKU creation and ordering for Company Stores and Ecommerce.
• Act as departmental liaison with select Sales channel leadership on high level needs and concerns.
• Partner with warehouse team on timing and frequency of transfer orders based on analysis of sales needs and individual store storage space constraints.

Business Analysis and Report Generation (40%)

• Apply foundational retail math metrics to drive informed planning and product decisions. Use this analysis to generate recommended international and domestic purchase quantities and timing for both new and continuing items within the assortment.
• Establish wholesale and retail price points based on margin targets and perceived product value.
• Identify key items and growth opportunities by category and SKU.
• Perform historical sales analysis to support seasonal hindsight, line planning, and new item meetings.
• Support inventory reduction process for slow moving or aged inventory.
• Create an open-to-buy plan for domestic vendors.
• Provide regular analytical support for Marketing and external Public Relations partners.
• Perform ad-hoc analysis and project work related to merchandise planning and execution.

Assortment Planning (20%)

• Apply fundamental retail math metrics to drive informed and profitable preplanning and in season decisions around assortment.
• Monitor category and item performance for profitable strategy recommendations.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that product attributes are correctly assigned in Navision.
• Meet with domestic vendor partners to discuss analytics and assortment that will complement our international products; work with purchasing leadership to select product.

Importing Coverage (occasional, as needed)

• Coverage of time sensitive importing tasks during Supply Chain Specialist vacation.

Perform additional duties/responsibilities as requested which contribute to the position’s success and the mission.

Preferred Experience/Knowledge/Education/Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business, merchandising or related field or equivalent retail work experience
• 3+ years’ experience in retail inventory management, purchase planning and allocation
• Good understanding of retail math metrics including COGS, gross margin dollars and percent, initial mark up, maintained mark up, weeks of supply and turn
• Excellent analytical and statistical skills with the ability to use and understand quantitative data
• Excellent organizational, prioritizing, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with cross functional partners
• Demonstrated project management and decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Computer literate, proficient in PC applications including Excel, pivot tables, JET reports and Macros; knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Navision and Microsoft Power Bi reporting a plus

Position Specifications:

• Eligible for monthly hybrid work stipend: Y

*Ten Thousand Villages offers a robust benefits package and flexible workplace environment. We provide a low-cost health plan with a $500 deductible or opt-out payment, generous PTO allotment, and 6 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays. We also have a Flexible Spending account, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 403b, voluntary short-term disability and more