Retail Planning Manager

ROLE OBJECTIVE: The Retail Planning Manager is responsible for creating and executing the annual Category Plans and Open-To-Buy Budgets derived from Topline Budgeted Financials (Sales, Profit, & Inventory), considering the Retail Shop Network (Outlet Channels). Retail Planning Manager will leverage outstanding analytical, qualitative, and communication skills to execute sales and inventory forecasting, defining seasonal buying budgets and subsequent “Open to Buy” Budget Management. Constant focus on in-season and post-season sales, leveraging experience to drive markdown strategies, and corresponding inventory impact, as related to Budgeted Turnover Objectives. DAY TO DAY ROLE: Key responsible for on-going business analysis/diagnostics for total Retail Channel Merchandise Sales, Stock, Profits. Maintain WEEKLY Selling Recaps to Highlight Wins/Opportunities by Area (Shop) AND by Category/SKU to support the Topline AND SKU level sales objectives set by the OTB Plans, Merchant, and Store Team Objectives. Closely partner with Merchant regarding assortment selection, store attributing, and product lifecycle management, which direct all actions pertaining to Merchandise Planning & Merchandise Allocation. Maintain critical partnership with Retail Teams, for alignment between Store Performance forecasts (i.e. Topline Sales Trend), translated into detailed Product Category performance: sales, inventory, and margin. Analyze end of season markdowns and propose in-season promotional strategies based on KPI, Stock, & Sales analysis by location, ensuring cohesive flow from one season to the next and all relevant stock and margin variables considered. Maintain ongoing communications to gain internal buy-in and support to then work directly with HQ Production/ Customer Service organization as the liaison to secure/produce adequate inventories, outside of seasonal buy process. Work closely with ALLOCATION to drive distribution plans achieve: inventory turn goals, support marketing, and profitability. Participate in Weekly Business Review Meetings with cross-fuctional teams, providing topline sales information by channel, and making callouts as necessary regarding month to date trend/projections, top sellers, slow movers, promotions, etc. OPEN-TO-BUY MANAGEMENT: Execute the annual “Open-To-Buy” planning process, and Monthly OTB review, to ensure product category performance, sales, inventory, and margin goals for the Full Price and Outlet Channels are maximized. Maintain OTB Tools/System, to drive OTB meeting; communicating prior month results vs. previous projections and vs. Budget; along with future forecasts in partnership with Retail Management for topline location sales alignment with product. Communicate to HQ Exec Team the results, and any necessary changes in strategy to remain productive vs objectives. Continual re-forecast on anticipated “End of Season” Transfers anticipated from Full Price to Outlet and all implications. SEASONAL BUY PROCESS: Provide Seasonal HINDSIGHT Database and Detailed Review of Category/SKU Performance for the Merchant team for alignment PRE-Buy on the Wins/Opportunities of current season. Develop Category Sales Budgets (Sales, Margin, AUR, Inventory) for alignment with subsidiary Merchant PRE-SELECTION based on insights learned from hindsight, weekly business analysis, and future trend anticipation. Assist during the YES/NO Selection to help Merchant team validate Assortment and Cluster Selections. Share finalized Buys to HQ Planning Team for inclusion in Executive Buy Review stating all assumptions and deviations taken based on PRE-BUY analysis vs. POST-BUY realities. Work closely with MERCHANDISING/COMMERCIAL/MKTG on quarterly assortment plans and monthly product flow to ensure recapping and future strategies continually align with team objectives. QUALIFICATIONS: HARD SKILL SET: Outstanding Analytical/Statistical/Quantitative skills (inventory, cost accounting and supply chain experience is a plus). Microsoft Excel proficiency: (V-lookups, complex formulas, pivot tables, macros, etc…) Strong strategic thinking (ability to identify future opportunities based on current data). Working System knowledge in Microstrategy, JDA, TXT, RPAS/ORACLE, SAP systems will aid and assist onboarding. Preference given to candidates in areas focused on previous planning experience, financial, and quantitative analysis. SOFT SKILLS SET: Excellent listening, communication, presentation skills. Interactions with team members/cross functional partners at all levels, Locally AND Internationally. Adaptability/flexibility in a fast-paced, dynamic, “start-up” environment, approaching issues from a solution-oriented point of view. Ability to learn systems and new processes quickly. Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively, with strong time management skills, ownership and initiative.