Merchandise Planner

West Marine - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Fort Lauderdale, FL

101-250 employees

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers

About the position

The Merchandise Planner at West Marine is responsible for managing inventory and assortment plans to achieve sales and margin goals. This role involves creating financial plans, collaborating with category managers, and leading inventory management initiatives to ensure profitability across departments. The position requires strong analytical skills and the ability to influence cross-functional teams to drive business results.

Responsibilities

• Create pre-season financial plans and in-season projections.
• Identify, drive and revise course of action needed to achieve sales & margin targets, receipts & inventory objectives, as well as turn and GMROI goals.
• Accountable for overall in-stock for all current assortment, and exit strategies for discontinued product.
• Partner with the Category Manager to identify trends and develop customer-focused assortments and plan-o-grams that maximize short and long-term business objectives.
• Collaborate with the Director of Merchandise Planning to align on total company plans/goals.
• Lead and train the Allocation or Replenishment analyst in partnership with Allocation director.
• Balance workload priorities to ensure the successful execution of inventory management initiatives, including overstock management and liquidation.
• Complete open-to-buy activities at the department and subclass level for all key metrics and present action plans during monthly OTB meetings.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business or related field.
• Five years experience in a retail corporate buying and planning environment.
• Strong organizational, presentation and negotiation skills to influence team direction as well as cross functional teams and achieve results.
• Ability to actively train and motivate Allocation and Replenishment analysts.
• Excellent communicator—Fosters open communication and listens.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in E3/JDA or similar planning and allocation systems.