Job Description
Are you a data-driven retail strategist with a passion for premium consumer trends? Velvet & Oak Atelier is seeking a high-caliber Senior Merchandise Planner to champion our inventory lifecycle and financial forecasting from our corporate headquarters in New York City.
In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between creative product development and robust financial execution. You will leverage sophisticated forecasting models to optimize product assortment, manage open-to-buy (OTB) structures, and ultimately drive profitable growth across both our flagship brick-and-mortar boutiques and rapidly expanding e-commerce channels.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive seasonal inventory plans, sales forecasts, and open-to-buy (OTB) strategies.
- Analyze historical sales data, regional performance, and current trends to optimize product pricing, allocation, and depth.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative Design, Sourcing, and Buying teams to build highly curated, margin-maximizing assortments.
- Implement data-backed markdown strategies and promotional calendars to maximize sell-through and protect gross margins.
- Lead bi-weekly inventory replenishment reviews to dynamically balance stock levels across omni-channel fulfillment centers.
- Deliver high-impact financial presentations and strategic performance reviews to executive stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business Administration, Finance, or a highly quantitative field.
- 5+ years of proven experience in retail merchandise planning or inventory management, preferably in premium fashion or home design.
- Expert proficiency in retail planning software (e.g., Oracle Retail, SAP, or JDA) and advanced Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, Macros).
- Demonstrated success managing multi-million dollar portfolios with direct accountability for GMROI and inventory turn metrics.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, with an innate ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies.
- Deep understanding of contemporary omni-channel retail dynamics and consumer buying behaviors.