Job Description

The Associate Merchandise Planner will be a key business partner with Buyer and Sr Buyer to ensure achievement of department goals in terms of sales, gross margin and inventory.

Major Activities

Analysis:

• Provide Sr Buyer/Buyer with analysis and recommendation to optimize sales, margin and inventory in season recommendations to optimize seasonal plans
• Ensure corporate inventory initiatives are included in dept strategies
• Optimize seasonal inventory flow
• In season management and execution of basic assortment exit strategies for resets
• Partner with Financial Planner to develop and execute SKU rationalization goals

Purchase Planning:

• Using MFP (Michaels Financial Planning) to create weekly sales, margin and inventory plans at subclass level for seasonal and trend programs
• Owns MFP administration for seasonal and basic plans
• Incorporates correction of errors
• Recommend "wave breaks" for seasonal flow
• Recommend optimal inner and master packs
• Work with pricing and Sr Buyer/Buyer to make appropriate in season MD recommendations for seasonal and trend product
• Evaluate forward buys on market deals and other opportunities
• Develop and adhere to critical timelines

Assortment Planning:

• Ensure assortments are completed within specific time frames
• Participate in assortment plan review with category mgt team for seasonal and SBA assortments by analyzing historical information, and make appropriate recommendations.

Reset support:

• Develop and implement MD strategy following reset financial timeline
• Implement discontinue timing
• Implement order placement timing for new product with Sr Buyer/Buyer and Replenishment Team
• Monitor progress of reset activities and integrate into MFP sales, margin and inventory forecast
• Update finance partner on any activities that would require updating reset financials
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education

• BS or equivalent
• Business, retail or related field

Minimum Special Certifications or technical skills

• Microsoft Office literate, especially Excel

Minimum Type of experience the job requires

• 2+ years in retail
• Numerical analysis and project management experience

Other

• Ability to work comfortably on unstructured problems/tasks
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and time constraints

Preferred Special Certifications or technical skills

• Planning system skills preferred

Preferred Type of experience the job requires

• 2+ years in retail planning or financial planning preferred

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

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