Merchandise Planner

at  West Marine

ABOUT WEST MARINE

We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations.
We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo.
We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you.
So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pure pursuit of more water and less hassle.
If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 230 stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community.
Position Summary:
The Inventory Planner is responsible for driving results by managing current businesses and identifying future opportunities to achieve sales and margin results. This position is responsible for ensuring that the development and management of assortment and inventory plans achieve divisional or department level financial goals. This position will manage the profitability of one or more departments through pre-season plan development, management of inventory investments, and open-to-buy activities.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• A bachelor’s degree in business or related field
• Five years experience in a retail corporate buying and planning environment.
• Understand and demonstrate execution of merchandising math principles.
• Strong organizational, presentation and negotiation skills to influence team direction as well as cross functional teams and achieve results.
• Team co-leader in partnership with category manager—Fosters collaboration among team members and among teams; uses teams to address relevant issues.
• Ability to actively train and motivate Allocation and Replenishment analysts.
• Excellent communicator—Fosters open communication and listens. Speaks and writes effectively and with professional acumen.
• Demonstrates adaptability and acts with integrity.
• Analytical and strategic—Ability to think strategically
• Knowledge of merchandising and replenishment principles, practices, and procedures.
• Experience in E3/JDA or similar planning and allocation systems is preferred.
• PC proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Office, Power Point, Excel, Word.

• 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.
• Takes an active role in leading and training 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