Allocation Planner

Overview

We inspire purpose-filled living that brings joy to the modern home. With a team of more than 8,000 associates spanning 130 store and distribution locations across the U.S. and Canada, we achieve together, drive results and innovate to inspire. Drawn together by a shared passion for our customers and a spirit of fun, we deliver high-quality home furnishings that are expertly designed, responsibly sourced and bring beauty and function to people’s homes. From the day we opened our first store in Chicago in 1962 to the digital innovations that engage millions of customers today, our iconic brand is over 60 years in the making—and our story is still unfolding.

We’re here for it. We think you should be too. We’re looking for a driven professional with an inclusive mindset to join our team as an Allocation Planner.

This position oversees the allocation of kitchen categories to support the day to day activities of the Regional and Store Allocation process, ensuring we have the right inventory in the right place, at the right time in order to exceed customer expectations across all channels and locations of business. This role works closely with the Store Planning teams to be accountable for strategies that maximize sales and inventory productivity that meet in stock service level KPIs at the category and store level.  

This is a hybrid position that currently requires three days per week in the Northbrook, Illinois headquarters office. 

A day in the life as an Allocation Planner…

• Oversee the allocation forecasting for inventory via an omni channel lens for regional, store and market based on trends and merchandising strategies
• Perform allocation hindsighting to improve future allocation and drive profitability
• Analyze and manage dotted line team that owns allocation of seasonal and end of life core products to maximize sales and profitability by collaborating with Outlet Planning 
• Collaborate with the Merchandise Planner and Manager, Allocation to identify and react to business needs to drive sales and profitability
• Analyze product flow and sales trends by region to accurately forecast future product needs
• Create and document best practices and create training materials for allocation.
• Represent Allocation as a stakeholder for company projects and initiatives that impact inventory management
• Partner with Manager, Systems Maintenance to analyze, manage and research forecasting components that would impact store inventory levels 
• Create the targets for initial regional allocation based on historical or strategic goals  
• System business owner with Associate Director, Allocation on screens and continuous improvement for best functionality

What you’ll bring to the table…  

• Ability to summarize large sets of data and provide recaps to a variety of audiences
• Ability to learn new software and support the launch of new inventory management and merchandising systems
• Aptitude for spreadsheet and planning tools
• Understanding of the annual and seasonal buying plans, distribution needs and requirements, and goals of the Merchandising team.
• Good communication skills; work consistency and accuracy
• Ability to leverage data and analytics to make/support decisions
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience in utilizing reporting and inventory management tools to monitor in-stock levels 
• Experience building effective relationships and communicating cross functionally
• Ability to learn new software and support the launch of new inventory management and merchandising systems

We’d love to hear from you if you have… 

• A minimum of 3 years retail planning and allocation or similar analytical retail experience 
• Experience with inventory management, IT systems, product pipeline process design, and promotional strategies
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

#li-hybrid