Job Description
Are you a data-driven strategist with a passion for retail excellence? Vanguard Retail Group is seeking a high-caliber Merchandise Planner to join our flagship team in New York. You will be instrumental in shaping our product assortment, optimizing inventory health, and driving profitability across our premium lifestyle collections.
In this role, you will leverage advanced analytics to forecast trends, manage open-to-buy budgets, and collaborate with cross-functional buying teams to ensure we deliver exactly what our customers crave.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive seasonal financial plans and open-to-buy forecasts.
- Analyze weekly sales performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth or risk mitigation.
- Partner with the Buying team to curate assortments that align with brand vision and customer demand.
- Manage inventory flow and allocation strategies to maximize turnover and minimize markdowns.
- Conduct deep-dive competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and market gaps.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain teams to ensure optimal stock levels across all retail channels.
- Present business performance reports and strategy recommendations to senior leadership.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, Statistics, or a related field.
- Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in retail merchandise planning or inventory management.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with enterprise planning software (e.g., JDA, Oracle).
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business strategies.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of retail financial KPIs (GMROI, Sell-thru, Inventory Turnover).
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.