Director of Merchandise Planning

SUMMARY

At Magnolia, the Director of Merchandise Planning oversees the strategic direction, forecasting, and financial planning for merchandise assortments to achieve company objectives. This role involves managing inventory levels, optimizing assortment strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams—including merchandising, marketing, and operations—to drive sales growth and profitability. The Director is responsible for leading planning teams, analyzing sales trends, and developing actionable insights to maximize revenue while maintaining alignment with the company's brand and customer-centric goals. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the Vice President of Merchandise and Planning and has supervisory responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Collaborate cross functionally to ensure coordination of all Planning strategy with key partners in Merchandising, Product Development, Ecommerce, Retail Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Information Technology* 
• Develop appropriate KPIs for the tracking and reporting of all departmental activities; determining key measurements and metrics associated with brand management and productivity initiatives 
• Manage, develop, train and coach staff to provide the highest level of individual performance and cross-functional support* 
• Partner with store operations, merchandising, inventory management, and finance to ensure alignment of enterprise strategy and project/program strategy. 
• Lead key cross-functional initiatives by evaluating and understanding customer insights, market trends, competitive intelligence, pricing, promotional strategies and other forces impacting current and future business performance. 
• Develop and execute assortment strategies that align with revenue and financial goals with a customer-back approach through Product Line Reviews, weekly business reviews, and other company initiatives and processes. 
• Collaborate with retail leaders to define assortment tactics needed to deliver business strategy and category growth. 
• Guide the planning team to deliver assortment plans for merchant initiatives, end-to-end product line reviews, and business reviews for assigned businesses and store projects. 
• Oversee merchandise assortment plans, item and assortment planning to execute the merchant vision in support of strategic and financial objectives. 
• Analyze, review, and identify assortment opportunities using a suite of strategic and analytical solutions  
• Partner with Merchandising, Planning, and Finance to influence category strategies, create resolutions, and drive execution. 
• Partner with teams to ensure stability of existing tech and development of new tools that drive category growth through analytical decision-making and efficient execution. 
• Drive organizational adoption of planning business processes and technology through change management, training, and performance reporting. 
• Hire, train, and develop a team of leaders and experts who utilize a balance of design thinking and data-driven problem-solving to drive business growth. 
• Develop clear career paths and progression plans for team members, promoting internal growth and retention of top talent. 
• Communicate with multiple levels of senior leadership across merchandising, supply chain, and store operations on projects and initiatives. 
• Provide ongoing status updates, recommend mitigation tactics, and course-correct decisions to drive continuous improvement. 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review 

COMPETENCIES 

• Teamwork: Foster a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Build a team that exemplifies Magnolia cultural and operating values. Lead department to ensure members are engaged and actively contribute. Mentor and develop managers to build a strong team environment. Teach and lead your team in identifying areas of strength and development to maximize team effectiveness. Ensure necessary training and tools are available for the professional development of the team. 
• Critical Thinking: Build and adhere to annual financial plans, metrics, budgets, and resource allocations to meet annual fiscal expectations. Utilize critical thinking and analytical skills to maintain the bottom line. 
• Expertise: Maintain a thorough understanding of your area and communicate the importance of accurate and timely work. Foster managers' abilities to lead and connect their employees with the resources and training needed. Lead by example. 
• Communication: Create a team environment of open communication. Encourage team members to share ideas, thoughts, and concerns. Utilize strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate with other leaders and employees across the organization. Discuss business strategy and provide clear direction. 
• Guest Focus: In all strategic and operating plans ensure a personalized and guest-centric experience is a top priority. Set the standard for this through exemplary leadership. 
• Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity, leading through ambiguity. Create quarterly and annual goals and establish metrics and actions needed to achieve success. Evaluate objectives and assess potential risks and make well-informed decisions that lead to growth and align with organizational goals and values. 
• Hard skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required, expertise in planning methodologies including assortment planning, item planning, and strong analytical and financial analysis skills.  

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS 

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