Merchandise Planner

MERCHANDISE PLANNER | JOB DESCRIPTION 

SUMMARY 

At Magnolia, the Merchandise Planner is responsible for impacting business sales and maximizing business performance by partnering with the Merchandising team on profitable line inventory management. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the Senior Merchandise Planner and has no supervisory responsibilities. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop retail assortment sales plans and manage inventory to meet targets for assigned categories 
• Meet categories’ sales, gross margin, and inventory targets through data-driven decisions* 
• Forecasts monthly and seasonal plans, to ensure all orders fall within approved financial targets 
• Analyze successes and failures within historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities across division for multiple categories, amending forecasts and buys accordingly* 
• Monitor category performance and update financial plans with focused investment recommendations based upon analysis of markdowns, promotions, and seasonal trend changes 
• Collaborate with Merchants and cross-functional teams to align on pre-season and in-season sales and inventory strategies* 
• Review stock-to-sales ratios to optimize inventory levels, monitor inventory turnover and make recommendations accordingly* 
• Develop pre-season plans and recommend investment quantities 
• Analyze sales, inventory, and website data to understand product and brand performance 
• Quantify risks and opportunities for informed decision-making 
• Analyze size selling patterns and recommend future size offerings 
• Plan sales, inventories, and markdowns based on historical data 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review 

COMPETENCIES 

• Teamwork: Contribute to a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Work effectively with others, be a team player and contribute toward team goals. 
• Critical Thinking: Identify and communicate challenges in day-to-day activities. Ability to analyze data, trends, and patterns. 
• Expertise: Eye for detail, accuracy, and complete all tasks in a timely manner. Possess knowledge and skills related to specific area(s) and specialized tools and techniques relevant to specialization. 
• Communication: Actively engage in listening to teammates and guests and be open to feedback from guests, peers, and management. 
• Guest Focus: Ability to proactively understand and meet guest needs, ensuring a personalized and guest-centric experience. 
• Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity. Know your role in achieving team goals. 
• Hard skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required, business acumen and knowledge of retail math required. 

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university preferred 
• 2-4 years of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and arms to reach, handle, feel; utilize fine motor dexterity of fingers; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

Magnolia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. 

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time.