Review and Recommend Strategies to Maximize the Profitability of Excess Inventory

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for creating, maintaining, analysis and interpretation of merchandise assortment plans for all catalogs and effectively partnering with the Merchandising, Creative and Inventory Management departments. The Merchandise Planner is also responsible for item planning and analysis to achieve or exceed sales and margin goals, inventory turns, variable operating margin opportunities and service level objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·Prepare pre-season, in-season and post-season analysis of items in each catalog. Include analysis of price points, gross margins, exclusives, merchandise categories, space allocation, new vs. repeat, etc.

·Determine item and assortment strategies for each catalog and book type in order to maximize sales and profits.

·Review and recommend strategies to maximize the profitability of excess inventory.

·Identify trends to help buyers plan more efficiently.

·Identify "chase" opportunities to help increase sales.

·Analyze historical results to identify bring-back items that could become profitable again.

·Maintain effective communication with SEO, CEO, Merchandise Director, Inventory Manager, Buyers, and Creative teams.

·Own, manage and create ad-hoc reports and analyze to effectively communicate problems, solutions and opportunities to the management team.

·Develop processes to streamline work and improve efficiency.

·Analyze creative presentations to understand the most profitable ways to feature each item.

·Analyze sales by size and color to recommend additions and deletions.

·Create and maintain item plans for each catalog.

·Work closely with the Inventory Management and Creative teams to ensure that item plans can be executed.

·Conduit for all communication regarding the item plans for the catalogs.

·Define and utilize planning reports to analyze catalog and seasonal performance making recommendations for future plans for Retails, Categories and Space.

·Define and utilize planning reports to analyze item performance in each catalog and make recommendations for future catalog/item plans in order to maximize item/catalog performance and profitability.

·Maintain return percentage by season; item comparison to benchmark percentage.

·Maintain category/subcategory item classification to support Quality and Merchant teams.

·SCOPE:

·Works under minimal supervision. Position requires the exercise of independent judgment.

·Frequent interaction with all levels of management and cross functional teams.

·Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.

·COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

·Strong analytical skills.

·Strong verbal and written communication skills.

·Good understanding of merchandise analysis/planning and retail math.

·Works well under pressure.

·Strong understanding of the job functions and possesses the knowledge and skills required to perform the required job functions.

·Dependable, responsible and willing to accept accountability.

·Strong learning orientation for self; keeps abreast of changes in current field and new technology.

·Ability to effectively communicate and interact with a diverse audience. Strong interpersonal skills.

·Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.

·Strong customer service orientation (internal and external).

·Results oriented with good planning, organizational and time-management skills. Handles multiple tasks in a fast-paced deadline driven environment. Delivers on commitments.

·Strong follow-through and attention to detail and accuracy of own and others work.

·Strong decision making and problem solving skills.

·Strong computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, database programs, and report writing.

·Ability to adapt to a continuously changing working environment.

·Ability to develop and implement more efficient ways of working.

·EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

·Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or related.

·3 + Years related work experience in one of the following areas: Merchandising, Inventory, Marketing or Finance.

·3+ years previous analytical experience in the Retail or Direct Marketing fields in one of the following functional areas is required: Merchandising, Inventory, Marketing or Finance.

·Superior Excel skills.

·Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

·Winston Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.