Retail Merchandise Planner in Atlanta, GA

Retail Merchandise Planner - 12 month Contract Role

Merchandise Planner (supporting Licensing & Retail)

Part Time: 20 hours/week with potential to increase to 30 hours

Location: Based in Atlanta (AOC). Min 1-2 days in office

• This role is responsible for all merchandise/inventory planning responsibilities including oversight of the logistics/supply chain for a new international retail store concept.
• This role is part of client Global Licensing & Retail (L&R) team and will work in collaboration with the local Operating Unit and Operating Agency.

Key responsibilities include:

• Oversee all merchandise related responsibilities for a new concept
• Manage ongoing cross category merchandise assortment (apparel & hardlines) tailored to the target consumer & market and aligned to the overall strategic vision of the brand and store.
• Responsible for planning and managing the Open-to-Buy for the store, ensuring targets are met including Sales, Gross Margin and Avg Stock.
• Work with vendors and with client Store Merchandise Planners to place orders and forecast replenishment needs.
• Coordinate order timing with US store order placement to ensure MOQ’s and cost targets are met.
• Manage replenishment and in season reorders, ensuring product is in stock and arrives on time
• Partner with logistics agency, international trade team and suppliers to manage all aspects of the supply chain.
• Work with QA, Product Developer and Suppliers to ensure local product regulatory requirements are met.
• Manage licensing contract amendments and new contracts for suppliers
• Partner with Visual Merchandiser to execute compelling and profitable presentations and product placement.
• Work with VM on an ongoing basis to re-merchandise as needed to maximize sales.
• Establish and execute liquidation plans as needed
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Buyer, Planners, Strategy team, Visual Merchandising Coordinator, Product Developer, Marketing and Operating Agency
• Conduct analysis and produce reporting and actionable recommendations on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Provide category, class and item performance analysis and present to leadership
• Continually review and analyze productivity, category and item selling, and recommend actions to optimize the business performance
• Assess learnings and propose assortment changes as needed to maximize results.
• Create Product Knowledge decks to educate store teams
• Create and maintain assortment plans reflective of all product and costing information
• Create product related presentations for leadership and cross functional teams 

Requirements:

• Retail merchandise planning experience in a fast paced environment.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs and proven track record of driving business results
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Creative and strategic thinking.
• Merchandise financial planning skills and solid experience managing Open to Buy.
• In tune and consistently keeping up with consumer and market trends
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Power Point, Power BI
• Successful performance record

Education:

• 4 year College Degree

Years of Experience:

• 5+ years experience retail planning (preferably with apparel experience)

Experience:

• Retail Merchandise Planning experience
• Track record of delivering financial results
• Experience with international retail stores preferred
• Apparel/Accessories experience preferred
• Experience launching new stores or concepts
• Merchandise financial planning and Open to Buy management.
• Experience leveraging data and insights from consumer data, industry trend and qualitative and quantitative research to drive results.

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