Planner, Merchandise Planning & Allocation
Company: Music and Arts
Location: Woodbine
Posted on: May 28, 2023
Job Description:
Description The Merchandise Planner role is responsible for all
aspects of pre-season and in season inventory investments and
optimization. The Merchandise Planner is an exciting role that
enables the right candidate to directly drive business results
through portfolio management and data analytics. This role is a
strategic partnership with the Merchant. The role will have
accountability to deliver sales, gross margin and inventory turn
plan via direct ownership of the Open to Buy, style level
pre-season plans and in-season price optimization. The right
candidate will also help to shape the future of the Merchandise
Planning and Analytics process, tools, and reporting.
Responsibilities:
- Own the development of division, department & class level plans
that support the Music & Arts strategy
- Develops pre-season top-down/bottom-up level plans for sales,
inventory, markdowns, and margin in partnership with the Sr
Planning Manager and Merchants
- Develops assortment plans that tie back to the monthly receipt
targets
- Develop style-level sales and inventory plans
- Own OTB, sales and inventory forecasting, including assessing
total risks and creating resolutions to achieve/exceed financial
targets in collaboration with Director of Planning. Drive
strategies to positively impact assortment and financials
- Own business recaps (W/M/Q) to inform short-term and long-term
financial strategies/action plans
- Collaborate with the merchant team to develop and communicate a
comprehensive pre-season strategy that aligns financial and product
opportunities across multiple departments
- Provide regular analysis of business trends, both pre-season
and post-season, along with the appropriate actions that support
effective inventory management and maximizes sales and margin and
mitigate risk to all business partners
- Own recommending and executing aged inventory and in-season
pricing strategies
- Drives business discussions and adjusts strategies to optimize
inventory investments and maximize results
- Create and cultivate a collaborative, innovative and
results-orientated environment
- Maintain in-stock levels, and optimize inventory
- Partner with the field teams and provide long-range forecasts
and seasonal item forecasts in line with the rental season calendar
to ensure product is ordered to support rental goals
- Collaborates on continual development and improvement of
planning tools and processes About Music & Arts Music & Arts
embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our
teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create
lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling
musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost
indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We
believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and
integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion. The first Music
& Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by
founder Benjamin O'Brien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in
1952, we offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and
art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that
he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers -- a
decision that remains intact to this day. Since the 1990's, Music &
Arts has expanded nationwide through organic growth and a series of
acquisitions and mergers with other music dealers. In 2005, Music &
Arts joined forces with American Music to become the largest band
and orchestra instrument retailer in the United States. Based in
Frederick, MD, Music & Arts is now part of the Guitar Center
enterprise and comprises 225+ retail stores, 200+ educational
representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations. -To join our band,
you'll need the following experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising or
equivalent experience in a related discipline
- 4+ years prior merchandise or financial planning experience;
omni-channel preferred
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficient with MS
Excel and merchandise planning system
- Proven track record in driving results via merchandise
forecasting, planning and data analytics
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management
skills
- Demonstrated record of prioritizing, influencing and decision
making at multiple levels in the organization
- Ability to use sales financial data to make decisions and
maximize profitability
- Strong communication skills including the ability to work in a
team environment, build strong partnerships, give honest, direct
feedback and is a solid verbal and written communicator
- Meets deadlines, prioritizes appropriately, copes well with
change, and maintains composure under pressure
- Is accountable for results, approaches obstacles proactively
and looks for ways to resolve problems and issues
- Ability to handle multiple tasks/projects with tight deadlines
Why join us? With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the
world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether
at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support
Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people
find their sound and fill the world with more music. Love this gig
and want to apply? Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees
and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability,
veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under
Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based
on valid job-related requirements. If you are a qualified
individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable
or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may
request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a
specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by
sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.
Keywords: Music and Arts, Baltimore , Planner, Merchandise Planning & Allocation, Other , Woodbine, Maryland
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