Associate Merchandise Planner

Job Number: 22257

Position Title: Assoc Merch Planner

External Description:

This position will be a hybrid combination of working remotely and in our Hingham, MA location.

The Associate Merchandise Planner makes a daily impact on their business and will own category merchandise planning activities including the development of financial sales, gross margin, inventory plans and key items. This position is accountable for sales, margin, markdown, and inventory strategies to ensure profitability. They will drive results through analysis, strategic thinking, pre-season plan development, and in-season management with their Cross Functional Team (CFT).

The Associate Planner will strategize with Merchandising and Allocation partners to ensure that financial goals are achieved and will attain buy-in from Planning leadership and the Manager and VP of Merchandising. They will also have support and training as part of their professional development.

What We Offer:

• Growth! Here at Talbots our goal is to give you the opportunities to grow with us. Our Performance Feedback Program allows for healthy career conversations and goal setting throughout the year.
• Condensed Work Week! If we have no work obligations and have fulfilled our 40-hour week, our Life-Work balance approach allows for us to start our weekend at 1pm on Fridays.
• Complete Benefit Package! Our benefits kick off the first day of the month after your start date! Discover more about our full benefits package here. We have competitive time off, including paid time to volunteer within the community.
• Merchandise Discounts! Our associates receive 50% off Talbots and select Haven Well Within brand items. Additionally, you may also be eligible for discounts at the brands across KnitWell Group.

What You’ll Do:

Drive Business Growth Strategies 

• Owns and is accountable for departmental success. Responsible for OTB re-forecasting at a weekly level to reflect trends, alignment with company direction, and solutions for risks and opportunities. Able to communicate the business needs clearly and concisely to Manager and Sr. Leadership.
• Develop expertise both pre-season and in-season on product mix performance for sales and inventory at the dept, class, and style/color level.
• Proactively identify issues and opportunities within product mix and use analytics and creative problem solving to drive profitable solutions.
• Actively recommend markdown and liquidation strategies to maximize omni-channel profitability.
• Act as subject matter expert on cross functional projects to help drive overall profitability and efficiency. Will include projects such as new systems, reports, tools and/or process changes. 

Support Smart Risk Taking and Innovation 

• Through analysis, strategic thinking, and collaboration develop the financial classification plans/key items plans for sales, margin and inventory.
• Financially guide the CFT to identify business driving opportunities through analytics and risk management.
• Support and be a change agent for company initiatives.

Collaborate with and Influence the CFT 

• Partner with the Manager and Merchandising team pre-season to develop plans that support the product strategies and in season to react to business and product needs.
• Ensure alignment of top/down and bottoms/up style/color plans with merchandising strategies and financial targets.
• Partner with the Inventory Analyst team to maximize omni profitability through pre-season store cluster analysis, initial allocation, DC management, and in-season management. 

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required.
• 1-2+ years of experience in planning, allocation, or merchandising.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.
• Planning system experience preferred: JDA, Oracle, SAP preferred.
• Stores and/or direct experience preferred.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills as well as attention to detail.
• Experience with or a strong ability to learn reporting/data warehousing tools preferred.
• Naturally curious and comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.

 

City:

State:

Community / Marketing Title: Associate Merchandise Planner

Company Profile:

Talbots is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, the company is known for modern classic style that's both timeless and timely, fine quality craftsmanship and gracious service. At Talbots relationships are the key to our business, we hire individuals who bring new ideas to the table, understand smart risk taking and  can enhance an already thriving culture.  With a commitment to offer modern classic style for every body type, through a  full range of sizes, inclusive to every woman in your life.

EEO Employer Verbiage:

Talbots is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other category protected by applicable law. Talbots is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process please contact recruiting@talbots.com. Talbots will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business.

PositionType_Description: Full Time

Location_formattedLocationLong: Hingham, Massachusetts US