Company Overview:

Surf Style Retail Management, Inc. is a prominent chain specializing in beachwear and souvenirs across the Southeastern United States. Established in 1990, we have evolved from manufacturing clothing to becoming one of the fastest-growing retail chains in the sector.

Our headquarters are situated in Hollywood, FL, and our stores are known for offering quality products at competitive prices, ensuring a delightful shopping experience for our clientele. We primarily serve tourists but prioritize exceptional customer service to encourage repeat visits.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Retail Planner who will play a vital role in supporting our Planning and Buying Teams. This position is responsible for developing merchandise assortments and regional/category strategies, as well as financial plans aimed at achieving sales and profit targets. The Retail Planner will oversee the product assortment by store and manage financial planning and inventory for each product category.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Buyers and DMM to formulate financial plans at various levels including department, category, and vendor.
• Forecast open-to-buy metrics such as sales, inventory, margin, and profitability.
• Optimize performance related to sales, profitability, and inventory turnover while addressing potential risks.
• Work alongside Buyers to create merchandise assortments and strategies that enhance sales, profit, and inventory efficiency.
• Coordinate with Buyers to develop and assess merchandise assortments by department and category.
• Lead in-season assortment management, including SKU oversight, forecasting, and product/store analysis to swiftly respond to market trends.
• Engage with stores, buying teams, and District Managers to implement assortment, forecasting, and replenishment strategies.
• Conduct regular and ad hoc merchandise analyses, recommending timely actions based on findings.
• Guide the development of future forecasts by analyzing sales performance and ideal stock levels for key categories.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, coaching, and performance evaluations of Assistant Planners.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in retail planning, buying, or category management.
• Bachelor's degree in retail, business, or finance is preferred.
• Proficient in open-to-buy management and forecasting.
• Strong business acumen with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of retail and merchandising principles.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other relevant applications.
• Experience with budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Proven ability to build credibility and foster relationships across teams.
• Solid knowledge of the retail industry, customer preferences, and emerging trends.
• Highly analytical, skilled at transforming raw data into actionable insights.
• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to implement best practices.
• Capable of prioritizing tasks and executing them effectively in a dynamic environment.

Travel Requirements:

This role may require regular travel to retail locations as needed.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Supplemental Insurance options.
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays.
• 401k plan with Company Match.
• Employee Discounts at stores.

Note: This position is not remote and requires onsite presence.