Position: Manager, Merchandise Planning 244 Department: Planning & Allocation Reports to: Sr.
Director, Merchandise Planning Direct Reports: Yes FLSA Status: Exempt Location: 3880 N Mission Los Angeles, CA 90031 Job Purpose: The Manager of Merchandise Planning will develop strategic merchandise plans for an assigned group of product categories to maximize sales and to meet financial objectives through the analysis of sales trends and forecasts.
Along with conducting open-to-buy meetings and providing financial consultation to Executive level Merchants, the Manager will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, proving guidance and support to ensure the achievement of financial and sales objectives.
Deliverables: Manage the development of annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly merchandise plans for assigned product categories Partner with merchants to develop and propose business tactics in response to current business trends, advising them on open-to-buy, optimum unit purchasing, potential marketing or promotional strategies, etc.
Develop multiple class level pricing recommendations and strategies in alignment with company financial objectives Partner with Merchant and Marketing teams to identify promotional and marketing opportunities such as semiannual sales, BOGO, and free shipping; evaluate and assess theperformance and effectiveness of each marketing activity to see if it met financial objectives Forecast the sales levels of store clusters based on historical sales trends and insight received from Buying groups regarding prospective fashion trends Develop and evaluate unit plans, projections, inventory flow, promotional strategies, and seasonal sell-off plans Analyze and assess the sales performance of assigned product categories; revise in-season plans accordingly to maximize sales and profitability Routinely present recommendations and other analysis to senior leadership and executive management related to driving short/long-term business goals including hind-sights, color, pattern selling, etc.
Partake in high-level projects and company-wide initiatives that seek to streamline the existing planning and allocation processes, for example, the deployment of a new merchandise planning and allocation management system Oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, providing assistance and support regarding any arising issues and providing mentorship to foster skill development and performance improvement Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications: Must have a BABS degree; Finance, Operations, Retail Management, Business Management or an analytical focus is strongly preferred Must have 5+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning; 3+ years of experience in supervisory management role is preferred Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel required, including v-lookups, pivot tables, and basic macros; Must be able to manipulate large quantities of data in Microsoft Excel to drive business decisions Must have excellent time-management and organization skills Must be able to effectively communicate, written and orally, with all levels of employees Working knowledge of retail math, including return on investments, gross margin, initial markup, etc.
is essentialWith new owners and strong leadership, Forever 21 is evolving into what can only be described as a well known retail turnaround!
Now owned by SPARC Simon Property Group and Authentic Brands Group and led by CEO Daniel Kulle, 2020 was a year of reconstructing the foundation of this popular fashion brand to deliver amazing products that our customers expect to be trendy, relevant and value to them.
We’re implementing new strategic priorities across the company, determined to make Forever 21 a place where top technologists, creatives, and merchandizers will come to make their mark on the future of fast fashion retail with an enhanced commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
We welcome anyone to apply who has big ideas and is willing to roll up their sleeves to make those ideas a reality.
There are no ” Ivory tower” roles at Forever 21.
From the C-Suite to the Brand Associates, we’re making our transformation happen together.
If youre obsessed to serve our customer, if you elevate any team you work on, and if you are passionate about fashion, we want to hear from you!
What we Expect Customer Obsession; you know whoyourcustomer is and working in service to them is working in service to our end consumer.
Commitment to Top Talent; you are passionate about working with the best possible people.
You know how to attract them, develop them, and teach others to do the same.
Retail is Detail; the details tell the real story!
You are obsessed with quality product, quality experience, quality regardless of the segment of the company that your role occupies.
Even if you find some details challenging, you know who to ask for backup because what is most important is that your customer has the most excellent experience possible.
Entrepreneurial Spirit; your work is not just your job, its your passion.
You haveand act onideas about how to make your role, your department, and the company a better place.
You know why you want to be part of building Forever 21s future, are a highly collaborative and resourceful individual who can function at a high level, and are committed to collaborating every day.