Merchandise Planner

The Merchandise Planner is a key position responsible for driving business results through portfolio management and data analytics. This role is a strategic partnership with the Merchant, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

• Develop pre-season top-down/bottom-up level plans for sales, inventory, markdowns, and margin in partnership with the Sr Planning Manager and Merchants
• Own OTB, sales and inventory forecasting, including assessing total risks and creating resolutions to achieve/exceed financial targets in collaboration with Director of Planning
• Drive strategies to positively impact assortment and financials
• Own business recaps (W/M/Q) to inform short-term and long-term financial strategies/action plans
• Collaborate with the merchant team to develop and communicate a comprehensive pre-season strategy that aligns financial and product opportunities across multiple departments
• Provide regular analysis of business trends, both pre-season and post-season, along with the appropriate actions that support effective inventory management and maximizes sales and margin and mitigate risk to all business partners
• Maintain in-stock levels, and optimize inventory
• Partner with the field teams and provide long-range forecasts and seasonal item forecasts in line with the rental season calendar to ensure product is ordered to support rental goals

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising or equivalent experience in a related discipline
• ~4+ years prior merchandise or financial planning experience; proficient with MS Excel and merchandise planning system
• ~ Proven track record in driving results via merchandise forecasting, planning and data analytics
• ~ Ability to use sales financial data to make decisions and maximize profitability
• ~ Strong communication skills including the ability to work in a team environment, build strong partnerships, give honest, direct feedback and is a solid verbal and written communicator
• ~ Ability to handle multiple tasks/projects with tight deadlines

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws.