Category Planner

Plans and forecasts for future merchandise based on current inventory levels, historical movement, and customer input.  Responsible for reviewing stock to sales ratio, responding to changing sales trends, and maintaining goal fill rates.  Assists Category Manager(s) in overall planning and execution of tasks, related to shared categories.

Education and Experience:

• Detail oriented and capable of managing large amounts of data. Proficient in excel and calculation skills.
• Ability to see and predict supply patterns while using critical thinking skills to plan or adjust order rates and volumes.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, organizational and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to think and react quickly to handle emergency and difficult situations. Proven track record in the re-buying process.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related fields a plus.
• Must be able to travel occasionally

Primary Job Duties:

• Day to day inventory management (replenishment & promo buying, backorder/fill rate review, exception tracking).
• On order/in transit inventory monitoring (if we are out of an item, where is it?).
• Work with category managers to develop plans/solutions for excess inventory.
• Track, maintain, provide forecasting to key vendors.
• Product life cycle management.
• Receive communications from Category Manager to turn off discontinued items in Enable, change items to NO credit in Enable, and turn off transfer in the Miscellaneous tab of Enable for items that should no longer be transferred from Returns to DC 01
• New product build assistance - Planograms Etc.
• Communicate and collaborate with internal departments, such as sales, to communicate planning updates.
• Focus on maintaining healthy inventory levels, in direct correlation to current sales rates.
• Assist in execution of Category Manager(s) vision for shared categories.
• Execute RMAs from vendors to the DC's (copying proper accounting contact for the vendor)
• Inclusions, once approved by CM, entered into system and tell sales when completed
• Enter price changes in Sam's sheet-this requires knowledge of inventory levels and when the price change will affect our customers.
• Other duties may be assigned.