Overview The Merchandise Planner is responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels that support baseline and promotional sales, as well as corporate initiatives and activities, while achieving inventory in-stocks, turns, and financial goals. The Merchandise Planner will achieve this by working closely with his/her Merchant partner(s) and by using a sound business strategy that will balance opportunity vs investment. This position plays a pivotal role between the merchant team, the vendor community and other internal teams that support store execution. The successful candidate in this role will pay very high attention to detail and will be a flexible, logical thinker that is results driven.Responsibilities Essential Functions:Responsible for the management of the Open to Buy for area of scope, appropriately allocating spend to drive sales and customer growth.Effectively maintain and manage the appropriate in-stock positions and inventory across the individual’s designated categories.Own receipts forecasts for accurate replenishment and quickly adjust to support trends, priorities, and business needs.Effectively balance owned brands vs. third party inventory levels based on promotional activity, availability, cost opportunity, and category strategies.Communicate observed trends, risks, opportunities, and recommend associated actions.Synthesize large amounts of raw data, package in a simplistic manner, and provide findings to cross-functional partners.Closely collaborate with cross-functional partners on new item launches, category refreshes, and end to end lifecycle management.Responsible for purchase order issuance and management.Responsible for developing and issuing reporting and initiative tracking and scorecards.Build and foster cross functional partnerships with the following teams: Merchandising, Analytics, Pricing & Promotions, Supply Chain, Private Brands, Commercialization, Finance, and Operations.Qualifications Skill and Ability:Strong working knowledge of Excel.Strong problem solving and analytical skills.Strong communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.Outstanding organizational skills with superior attention to detail.Ability to influence business partners and drive results.Demonstrate ownership and accountability for all tasks and projects.Working knowledge of SQL is not necessary, but is a plus.Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.Possess agility, can shift between projects without a loss of overall quality.Working knowledge of RELEX or other planning applications is preferred, but not required.Education/Certification:Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent combination of intellectual instruction and work experience.2+ years professional experience.#J-18808-Ljbffr