How to Become a Merchandise Planner
Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Merchandise Planner
What does a Merchandise Planner do?
A Merchandise Planner plans and forecasts for future merchandise buys based on historical buys, reoccurring buys and current inventory levels. Responsible for reviewing stock to sales ratios, responding to changing sales trends, and ensuring plan sales, plan markups, and plan markdowns are achieved by departments. Being a Merchandise Planner may require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. To be a Merchandise Planner typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature.
A merchandise planner makes the merchandise strategy for a store, determining what to buy, when, and how to display it.
The merchandise planner must keep up with emerging trends, and needs to know the market well.
Merchandise planners work with merchandise buyers to find out what is available and make decisions about orders.
The merchandise planner must keep up with sales performance at individual stores to identify strong and weak points and make adjustments to the merchandise at that store accordingly.
Different branches may sell different mixes of items, and it is important to be able to move merchandise to meet the need.
Step 2: Learn best tips to become a Merchandise Planner
Best tips for those who want to become a Merchandise Planner
Here are some tips to become a Merchandise Planner.
Step 3: View best colleges and universities for Merchandise Planner
Best colleges and universities for Merchandise Planner
- College of the Atlantic
- Cleveland State University
Step 4: Think about whether is it worth to be a Merchandise Planner
Is being a Merchandise Planner Worth it?
We are looking for a Merchandise Planner who enjoys a fast-paced environment and has a strong work ethic.
Merchandise planners work with different areas in their stores to plan what items to order and how to arrange them.
Merchandise planners may require a bachelor's degree and most likely need previous retail experience.
When interviewing for a merchandise planning position, expect to answer questions about creating strategies for selling more product and about your communication skills.
Merchandise planners work closely with buyers to determine what products customers will be most receptive to purchasing.
Step 5: Prepare relevant skills for being a Merchandise Planner
What skills do you need to be a Merchandise Planner?
When looking into a role like this one, you need to take account of your skills and abilities. The ability to succeed in this role depends upon the possession of the following skills: Demand Forecasting, Inventory Management, Retail Buying, Trend Analysis, Vendor Management. Although not always necessary, a grasp of these skills can help: Procurement Software. During an interview, try to convey your knowledge of these skills.
The planner often attends trade shows and conferences to see the latest and greatest merchandise, as well as network with suppliers and fellow planners.
We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of Merchandise Planner resumes they appeared on.
Let's find out what skills a Merchandise Planner actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.
Created seasonal financial plans to guarantee optimal inventory investment, increase merchandise flow, and reduce markdowns to ultimately maximize profitability.
Developed and maintained seasonal merchandise plans to ensure maximum profitability and turn objectives while keeping store presentations at optimal levels.
Step 6: View average salary for Merchandise Planner
How much does a Merchandise Planner make?
The average salary range for a Merchandise Planner is from $82,622 to $104,181. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.
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Average salary for Merchandise Planner jobs
Step 7: Find relevant Merchandise Planner jobs, and apply.
Looking for Merchandise Planner jobs?
Here are some Merchandise Planner jobs in the United States.