What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchandise Planner, Emerging Business position at Victoria's Secret?
Job Summary:
The Merchandise Planner will have a hybrid role with responsibilities across three main functions: 1) Merchandise Planning (60%), Assortment Planning (30%), and Deployment (10%). The primary focus will be translating the Merchant vision into viable plans and profitable results that tie to financial targets provided. Additional responsibilities include building out a process for choice count and productivity optimization as well as allocating focused assortments to stores. Strong cross-functional relationships will be key in this role.
Responsibilities:
Planning (60%)
- Pre-Season: Connect statistical analysis, assortment architecture, and merchant vision into a pre-season view of merchandise plans that align with higher level budget
- In-Season: Analyze and reflect current sales trends within monthly planning committee (MPC); manage inventory within Open-to-Buy by proposing pull-forward, push-out, chase, cancels as needed
- Collaborate with merchant on strategies to maximize sales and margin for both pre-season and in-season
- Manage receipts to budget by scrutinizing buys with a focus on optimal inventory turn, while taking into consideration individual brand calendars and flow of newness
- Partner with brands and merchants to execute promotional and liquidation (markdown) strategies
- Provide ad hoc analysis of various topics to identify wins/opportunities that will drive future growth; share back with leaders during formal hindsight
Assortment (30%)
- Create standardized reporting for hindsighting choice count and productivity by category/brand; share findings with cross-functional partners and leaders of the business
- Leverage hindsight to make recommendations for future season choice count and productivity targets
- Partner with fellow planners and merchants on assortment strategy and architecture
Deployment (10%)
- Allocate limited edition assortments to a dedicated group of stores, aligning with emerging business growth plan
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Operations or Statistics. Advanced degree in quantitative analysis, finance or business administration preferred
- 3 - 5 years of experience in retail merchandise planning, inventory management, financial planning or financial analysis required; direct and/or third-party planning experience is a plus
- Strong numbers aptitude (statistical/accounting experience)
- Proficient with forecasting methodologies and statistical modeling
- Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as presentation skills: concisely presents complex information/recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences
- Ability to advance to high levels of computer literacy; exposure to relevant planning, finance, analytical, data management systems: Microsoft Office Suite; Excel Add-In; Enterprise Planning; and Microstrategy
- Analytical thinker and self-motivated problem solver
- Adapts to situational demands, flexible and capable of managing competing priorities
- Impeccable organizational skills, ability to multitask
- Keen attention to detail and accuracy
- Highly collaborative team player
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States.