Manager - Merchandise Planning

Michaels Stores • Irving, TX

12d

About The Position

The Manager - Merchandise Planning supports Merchandising by providing leadership to Planners to drive sales and margin objectives and ensure inventory levels are sufficient to support financial objectives. This Team Member is responsible for oversight of detailed bottoms up weekly/monthly reforecasting utilizing Oracle’s Merchandise Financial Planning system. This individual will develop and maintain a strong partnership with Category Directors and Managers to successfully run the business. The Manager - Merchandise Planning will work cross-functionally; interacting with a wide range of departments including Merchandising, Sourcing, Inventory Management, Finance, Marketing, Pricing, Space Planning, Stores, and Supply Chain / Distribution. Major Activities Merchandise Planning Partner with Merchants and the Inventory Management Team to ensure detailed and accurate forecasts, analysis, timely receipt flow, and proper levels of merchandise for all Basic, Seasonal, and Trend programs Own the first review of financial plans for departments within area of responsibility (pre-season and in-season) Monitor/manage the weekly forecasts prepared by Planners to ensure that the bottoms-up plans reflect current market conditions, trends and strategies Validate Reg/Promo/Clearance Sales and GM plans are accurate based on promotional cadence Review wave breaks to ensure receipt flow is appropriately positioned to support sales Occasionally lead division level financial review meetings and monthly forecast reviews with Sr. Management Analysis Accountable for providing actionable analysis and recommendations to Category Directors and Director - Merchandise Planning to inform business decisions Assortment analysis to inform seasonal purchase plan and reset decisions Provide ad-hoc analysis as required based on business needs Financial Own the first review of assortment plans and POG Walk documentation for division (across all departments) o Accountable for Planogram/Reset financial preparation and review, including Dual/Multi-Location product sets Accountable for managing to seasonal/trend sell-through targets in categories of responsibility Accountable for margin management including discounts, pricing and markdown activity for categories of responsibility as well as inventory flow, receipts, turn and EOP goal attainment Manage cross-functional team timeline accountability with regard to pre-season and in-season planning, strategy reviews and seasonal purchase plans Leadership Drive accountability with planners to seek out opportunities to maximize performance as well as improve processes Provide leadership and training to planners through coaching and development in the following areas: o Creating/maintaining bottoms up plans and forecasts o Creating and managing seasonal/trend ladder plans o Preparation of seasonal/trend purchase plans o Analytical evaluation of seasons, trends and POGs Accountable for proactive communication to Category Management, Supply Chain/Logistics, Store Operations, the vendor community and all other cross functional teams as to share information and ensure clarity and proper execution Encourage two-way communication and promote shared learning Actively work with cross functional team members to create a positive and pro-active working environment. Achieve active participation through effective leadership skills rather than compliance.

Requirements

• Proficient MS Excel abilities
• 5-7 years in Merchandise Planning, Allocation or Merchandising in the retail industry
• Planning and replenishment system experience
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills
• Strong leadership capability and ability to influence decision making process
• Demonstrates ability to lead and influence a cross functional team
• Clearly demonstrates ability to approach problems and analysis creatively

Nice To Haves

• BS in Business, Finance, Retail or related field preferred
• Business, logistics, finance or supply chain preferred
• Demonstrate a working knowledge in Oracle MFP, EXCEL, MicroStrategy, RETEK and ACCESS a plus

Responsibilities

• Partner with Merchants and the Inventory Management Team to ensure detailed and accurate forecasts, analysis, timely receipt flow, and proper levels of merchandise for all Basic, Seasonal, and Trend programs
• Own the first review of financial plans for departments within area of responsibility (pre-season and in-season)
• Monitor/manage the weekly forecasts prepared by Planners to ensure that the bottoms-up plans reflect current market conditions, trends and strategies
• Validate Reg/Promo/Clearance Sales and GM plans are accurate based on promotional cadence
• Review wave breaks to ensure receipt flow is appropriately positioned to support sales
• Occasionally lead division level financial review meetings and monthly forecast reviews with Sr. Management
• Accountable for providing actionable analysis and recommendations to Category Directors and Director - Merchandise Planning to inform business decisions
• Assortment analysis to inform seasonal purchase plan and reset decisions
• Provide ad-hoc analysis as required based on business needs
• Own the first review of assortment plans and POG Walk documentation for division (across all departments)
• Accountable for Planogram/Reset financial preparation and review, including Dual/Multi-Location product sets
• Accountable for managing to seasonal/trend sell-through targets in categories of responsibility
• Accountable for margin management including discounts, pricing and markdown activity for categories of responsibility as well as inventory flow, receipts, turn and EOP goal attainment
• Manage cross-functional team timeline accountability with regard to pre-season and in-season planning, strategy reviews and seasonal purchase plans
• Drive accountability with planners to seek out opportunities to maximize performance as well as improve processes
• Provide leadership and training to planners through coaching and development
• Accountable for proactive communication to Category Management, Supply Chain/Logistics, Store Operations, the vendor community and all other cross functional teams as to share information and ensure clarity and proper execution
• Encourage two-way communication and promote shared learning
• Actively work with cross functional team members to create a positive and pro-active working environment.

Benefits

• health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• paid time off
• tuition assistance
• generous employee discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager