Merchandise Planning Manager

**Forever 21,** is an American fast fashion retailer headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Originally known as Fashion 21, the first store was founded in Los Angeles on April 16, 1984. Forever 21 is known for it's trendy offerings and low pricing. The company offers fashion for women, men, and children, fashion accessories, shoes, beauty products, and home goods. Forever 21 continues to be a fashion industry leader with a mission to make the latest trends accessible to all. F21 persists on staying ahead of innovation and providing styles and fit that our customers love. While reinventing for now and beyond, we're seeking passionate and creative new family members to join us on this adventure F21 continues to operate E-Commerce and 450 locations across the U.S. along with maintaining a strong brand DNA with consumers and within the fashion industry. In February 2020, Forever 21 came under new ownership made up of Simon Property Group, Brookfield Property Partners, and Authentic Brands Group. Under this new ownership F21 has the financial strength and long term view that will prepare us for the future, while continuing to set the same high standards as it always has. Join our team and learn the inner sanctum of the global fashion industry, while we build the new **Forever 21** Please note that when you apply for a job with Forever 21, we collect your name, address, phone number, email address, previous work experience, references and other personal information about your background and experience. Forever 21 values your trust and is committed to the responsible use and protection of personal information. California applicants should refer to our notice in accordance with California Civil Code Sec. 1978.100(b) located . + **** **Job Details** **Merchandise Planning Manager - (38283)** This details all the information about the job posting.

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**** Job Title

Merchandise Planning Manager

Location

LOS ANGELES, CA US 90031 - Los Angeles, CA 90031 US (Primary) Group (Job Type)

HQ-Corporate

Career Level

Experienced (Non-Manager)

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Category

Merchandise Planning & Allocations

Job Description

**Position**: Manager, Merchandise Planning - 244 **Department**: Planning & Allocation **Reports to**: Sr. Director, Merchandise Planning **Direct Reports**: Yes **FLSA Status**: Exempt **Location**: 3880 N Mission Los Angeles, CA 90031 **Job Purpose**: The Manager of Merchandise Planning will develop strategic merchandise plans for an assigned group of product categories to maximize sales and to meet financial objectives through the analysis of sales trends and forecasts. Along with conducting open-to-buy meetings and providing financial consultation to Executive level Merchants, the Manager will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, proving guidance and support to ensure the achievement of financial and sales objectives. **Deliverables**: * Manage the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly merchandise plans for assigned product categories * Partner with merchants to develop and propose business tactics in response to current business trends, advising them on open-to-buy, optimum unit purchasing, potential marketing or promotional strategies, etc. * Develop multiple class level pricing recommendations and strategies in alignment with company financial objectives * Partner with Merchant and Marketing teams to identify promotional and marketing opportunities such as semiannual sales, BOGO, and free shipping; evaluate and assess the performance and effectiveness of each marketing activity to see if it met financial objectives * Forecast the sales levels of store clusters based on historical sales trends and insight received from Buying groups regarding prospective fashion trends * Develop and evaluate unit plans, projections, inventory flow, promotional strategies, and seasonal sell-off plans * Analyze and assess the sales performance of assigned product categories; revise in-season plans accordingly to maximize sales and profitability * Routinely present recommendations and other analysis to senior leadership and executive management related to driving short/long-term business goals including hind-sights, color, pattern selling, etc. * Partake in high-level projects and company-wide initiatives that seek to streamline the existing planning and allocation processes, for example, the deployment of a new merchandise planning and allocation management system * Oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, providing assistance and support regarding any arising issues and providing mentorship to foster skill development and performance improvement Job Requirements

**Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications**: * Must have a BABS degree; Finance, Operations, Retail Management, Business Management or an analytical focus is strongly preferred * Must have 5+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning; 3+ years of experience in supervisory management role is preferred * Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel required, including v-lookups, pivot tables, and basic macros; Must be able to manipulate large quantities of data in Microsoft Excel to drive business decisions * Must have excellent time-management and organization skills * Must be able to effectively communicate, written and orally, with all levels of employees * Working knowledge of retail math, including return on investments, gross margin, initial markup, etc. is essential With new owners and strong leadership, Forever 21 is evolving into what can only be described as a well known retail turnaround Now owned by SPARC Simon Property Group and Authentic Brands Group and led by CEO Daniel Kulle, 2020 was a year of reconstructing the foundation of this popular fashion brand to deliver amazing products that our customers expect to be trendy, relevant and value to them. We're implementing new strategic priorities across the company, determined to make Forever 21 a place where top technologists, creatives, and merchandizers will come to make their mark on the future of fast fashion retail with an enhanced commitment to sustainability and community engagement. We welcome anyone to apply who has big ideas and is willing to roll up their sleeves to make those ideas a reality. There are no "ivory tower" roles at Forever 21. From the C-Suite to the Brand Associates, we're making our transformation happen together. If youre obsessed to serve our customer, if you elevate any team you work on, and if you are passionate about fashion, we want to hear from you **What we Expect** * Customer Obsession; you know who *your* customer is and working in service to them is working in service to our end consumer. * Commitment to Top Talent; you are passionate about working with the best possible people. You know how to attract them, develop them, and teach others to do the same. * Retail is Detail; the details tell the real story You are obsessed with quality product, quality experience, quality regardless of the segment of the company that your role occupies. Even if you find some details challenging, you know who to ask for backup because what is most important is that your customer has the most excellent experience possible. * Entrepreneurial Spirit; your work is not just your job, its your passion. You have *and act on* ideas about how to make your role, your department, and the company a better place. You know why you want to be part of building Forever 21s future, are a highly collaborative and resourceful individual who can function at a high level, and are committed to collaborating every day.

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