Job Description
Vanguard Retail Group is seeking a data-driven and strategic Senior Merchandise Planner to join our dynamic team in the heart of New York City. In this role, you will be the architect of our seasonal assortments, balancing trend intuition with rigorous financial analytics to maximize profitability across our omnichannel platforms.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping our inventory strategy, ensuring our curated collections reach the right customers at the right time. We value agility, innovation, and a passion for the evolving retail landscape.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive seasonal financial plans and open-to-buy forecasts.
- Partner with the Buying team to align product assortments with regional demand and historical performance.
- Analyze weekly sales trends to identify risks and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
- Oversee inventory health by managing markdown cadence and replenishment strategies.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with Supply Chain and Marketing teams to ensure product availability and campaign support.
- Mentor junior planners on analytical best practices and retail math methodology.
- Manage end-to-end lifecycle planning for core and fashion product categories.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning or inventory management.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with enterprise planning software (e.g., Oracle, SAP, JDA).
- Strong understanding of retail metrics: GMROI, Turn, Sell-through, and Gross Margin.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders through data-backed storytelling.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Passion for high-end retail and deep curiosity regarding consumer behavior.