Description

Position Summary

A VP of Planning is responsible for developing and communicating Planning strategies to his/her respective Planning Team with the goal of meeting/ exceeding sales, margin and turn targets. A VP guides Planners through the development of seasonal merchandise financial plans and by-door plans. A VP works in partnership with DMM’s to maximize overall financial performance of product categories and to develop a collaborative team culture within their area of responsibility.

Major Responsibilities

• Direct the development of divisional, departmental and bottom-up merchandise financial plans; work with Senior Management and team to ensure reconciliation of plans back to top-side targets

• Oversee the allocation process and communicate allocation best practices

• Oversee replenishment strategies and goals with directors and managers

• Provide support to Buying function team during product planning processes (merchandise strategy, inventory planning , assortment & buy planning) with analytics and reconciliations to merchandise financial plans and by-door plans

• Partner with the DMM in the divisional open-to-buy meetings; manage opportunities and risks through the open to buy/ monthly forecast process

• Provide timely recommendations to react to business shifts

• Focus on developing and maintaining bench strength

• Build a high quality planning team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback

• Facilitate team environment between Buying and Planning organizations

• Evaluate techniques, processes and systems with management to identify improvement areas

Requirements

Position Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree strongly preferred

• 6 - 10 years of retail experience; 3 - 5 in merchandise or financial planning

• Proficient in business-related computer software (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, etc.)

Physical

• Available and able to travel

• Able to see and distinguish colors

• Able to lift up to 25 pounds