Senior Merchandise Planner

The Paper Store is committed to being the premiere destination for all of our customer’s gift-giving needs. Our mission is to share our passion for The Paper Store with each customer, during each visit, by going above and beyond their expectations for both selection and service.

The Senior Merchandise Planner is responsible for analyzing and forecasting inventory and purchase levels to increase inventory turn, maximize category growth potential, and minimize inventory risk and lost sales, utilizing the OTB process to track progress of the objectives. The Senior Merchandise Planner will collaborate with buyers on category performance and upcoming strategies in order to achieve sales forecasts and optimize inventory flow.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop sales forecasts and inventory plans and margin goals across all departments
• Manage monthly department level open-to-buy activities
• Review and reconcile bottom-up plans to department plans and forecasts
• Facilitate regular planning sessions and meetings to drive a successful forecasting process
• Identify risk/opportunity and provide appropriate recommendations to deliver overall company financial objectives
• Partner with finance and sales development team to accurately assess current state of business and provide accurate future forecasts
• Prepare hindsight analysis for optimization of future plans
• Train and develop planning team on thought process to analyze and forecast sales, margin and turn relative to plan, trend and history
• Monitor retailer's weekly sales trends and promotional activity in order to identify risk and opportunities
• Create and forecast seasonal Open-to-Buys for retail partners
• Monitor inventory and receipt levels to enable sales plans to be achieved or exceeded
• Develop replenishment strategies where applicable to ensure proper flow and improved profitability

• Partner with GMMs and Merchant team to develop a clear understanding of the customer and product strategies
• Assist GMM/DMM/Planning in management and maintain company turn and GM goals

• Partner with merchants to create actionable product performance reporting at the appropriate levels
• Analyze key item trends and seasonality, adjusting forecasts, receipts and inventory levels as needed to support plans for more complex categories
• Identify and influence critical stakeholders, proactively problem solve, and recommend solutions

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Currently a Sr. Planner or Planning Manager within the retail industry with 5+ years’ experience
• Analytical and financial aptitude.
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to motivate and influence cross functional internal partners and vendors
• Willingness to roll up sleeves to perform analysis and coach/mentor junior planners and allocators

The Paper Store is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.