Merchandise Planning Manager (Remote)

Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for

analyzing sales trends, forecasting demand, and determining inventory levels

for DTC and Wholesale business. This person will work closely with key

stakeholders, including Marketing, Customer Service, Sourcing, and Dev to

ensure that the right products are available at the right time and in the right

quantities to meet customer demand while maximizing profitability by sales

channel. This role involves data analysis, trend forecasting, inventory

management, and strategic planning to optimize product assortment for both

e-commerce and Subscription.

Must have planning experience for an Intimates Brand (Bras)

● Develop, maintain, and re-forecast monthly sales plans for assigned

categories, aligning with Financial guidance and budgets.

● Manage OTB, ensuring optimal inventory levels that support demand and

company budget while minimizing potential inventory risk via scenario plans.

● Analyze and evaluate crucial business KPIs: margin, sales, promotions,

inventory, markdowns, and specific product opportunities

● Drive end-to-end quarterly Buy Review for assigned categories and present to

the Executive team for alignment.

● Recognize and evaluate sales trends, highlight wins/misses, and identify sales

opportunities to optimize sales by channel

● Own PO writing process on the style/color/size level, and work with

Production to ensure timely issuance and receipt of PO’s.

● Ensure that all product purchases align with appropriate breadth, depth, and

sizing opportunities for each category

● Provide accurate quarterly projections to the Production team, ensuring

ample factory capacity.

● Compile and analyze weekly / quarterly reporting as assigned, and

communicate notable and actionable insights to the broader team, as well as

opportunities & current risks.

● Partner with Operations and Merchandising Teams to refine quarterly

assortments and develop effective buy strategies accordingly. Provide

historical data and analysis to enable informed decision-making.

● Devise and present revenue / unit projections for potential new product

launches, both from a top-down and bottom-up approach.

● Support promotional strategies by suggesting featured products and

compiling SKU lists to maximize performance and sell through of target

products.

● Work cross-functionally with Merchandising & Site Merchandising teams to

ensure optimal customer experience.

● Identify and monitor aged / slow moving inventory to communicate at risk

product to broader team & devise markdown / exit strategies accordingly.

● Partner with Ops / Fulfillment teams as needed to support efficient use of

Warehouse space.

● Monitor inventory positions to pinpoint opportunities for replenishment,

recalls, markdowns, and margin improvement.

● Plan existing and new wholesale partnerships – including product flow, sales

forecast, promotions, and liquidation strategies.

● Analyze subscription trends by cohort to assist in placing quarterly buys

● Pre and Post-Promotional forecasting and analytics, as well as present key

findings to stakeholders

Required Skills:

● Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and historical

performance to make informed decisions regarding inventory levels, product

assortment, and pricing strategies.

● Forecasting: Proficiency in forecasting demand based on historical data,

seasonality, promotional activities, and market trends to ensure optimal

inventory levels while minimizing overstock situations.

● Inventory Management: Understanding of inventory management principles

and techniques to balance stock levels, minimize excess inventory, and

optimize inventory turnover rates.

● Data and Analysis: Ability to interpret complex data sets and draw actionable

insights to drive decision making and timely identification of risks and

opportunities,

What You Have

● Bachelor’s degree

● 5+ years’ experience in apparel planning, merchandising, or buying

● Strong strategic thinking & analytical skills

● Strong retail math knowledge

● High proficiency with Excel; Netsuite, Tableau and/or Toolio experience a plus