VP - Merchandise Planning & Allocation

Ann Taylor • New York, NY

274d • $250,000 - $275,000

About The Position

The VP, Planning & Allocation is responsible for planning and directing all aspects of the organization's merchandise planning and allocation policies, objectives, and initiatives. He/she develops the merchandise planning and allocation plan to fulfill the growth and revenue goals of our brands.

Requirements

• 10-15 years of related work experience; minimum 7+ years of merchandise planning experience.
• 4-year degree; advanced degree a plus.
• Present and recommend strategies; build business case.
• Drive business to exceed company plans.
• Lead and develop a team.
• Strategic forecasting for a multidimensional business.
• Influence and negotiate at a variety of levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and communicate strategic merchandise financial plans that support the company's financial, product, and marketing objectives.
• Drive top line financial plans from a divisional level to a department/category level.
• Strategically manage the business in order to maximize sales and margin, and optimize inventory.
• Develop and contribute to the development of Brand initiatives, and ensure that all planning activities support annual goals.
• Create strategic financial plans that support the company's objectives and brand goals from a top-down perspective.
• At a division/department level, develop sales, gross margin, and inventory plans that support the company's profit objectives.
• Collaborate with direct reports in planning and the merchandising team to ensure that financial objectives align with product opportunities.
• Partner on and drive decisions regarding planning and allocation process, organizational structure, and system opportunities including reporting.
• Develop, retain, and lead planning and allocation teams.
• Manage in-season profitability in order to achieve or exceed seasonal performance at a divisional level.
• Review planners' 90-day forecasts; Challenge the team to incorporate marketing strategies, markdown decisions, and inventory management to achieve the forecast.
• Pre-meet with divisional leadership to gain consensus prior to monthly strategic meeting.
• Lead and direct the monthly forecast meeting providing guidance to business leaders and finance.
• Pre-season, create divisional and departmental plans to support the development of the line.
• Set sales, margin, flow, IMU, and CC goals prior to the planning of each delivery.
• Reconcile top down and bottom-up forecasts prior to the passing of receipts to the merchant organization.
• Participate in buy review with merchants and planning teams to ensure appropriate breadth and depth, and flawless execution.
• Collaborate with lead merchants to ensure that plans support product goals.
• Lead and facilitate buy finalization meeting with merchants.
• Review pre-season plans that support new assortment.
• Identify risks and opportunities relative to product, flow, sizing, depth, and presentation.
• Present business strategies, projections on a weekly, quarterly basis to Executive leadership team.
• Coordinate with Marketing leads to ensure product and promotional plans are executed in support of Brand strategies.
• Coordinate with DOS on store events, tests, quarterly meetings, and store visits.

Benefits

• Merchandise discount at our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Ann Taylor, LOFT, Talbots, Haven Well Within & Lane Bryant (in store and online).
• Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands.
• A culture of giving back - local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time off - paid time off & holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree