Merchandise Planner

The Planner position serves as the business manager for specific product categories. This role is responsible for the creation of channel level sales, receipt plans and forecasting KPI's. The planner is responsible for analyzing data, correlating historical and current trends to support forward reforecasting, presenting, and supporting the plan positions through regular communication of risks and opportunities. This position works concurrently across multiple seasons to optimize inventory and sales to achieve financial results.

• Create the OTB aspect of the business by preparing forecasts and evaluating performance. Protect Claire's interests while maximizing profitability and minimizing liabilities

• Create business plans on the category/department/division level by month against corporate goals and the top-line targets of divisional financial plans

• Manage OTB, present at monthly business meetings and provide information and strategic initiatives to upper management

• Review and analyze data to help inform recommendations and reforecasting

• Analyze and prepare hindsight documents to measure past performance and inform future planning & buys. Attend and actively participate in hindsight meetings, where Merchandising presents sales and inventory results, relate performance to the original departmental strategy resulting in recommendation for future actions.

• Prepare, update, and distribute key daily/weekly reports

• Support the merchandising team with pricing and promotions based on weekly analysis against plans and forecasts

• Collaborate and partner with Merchandising to formulate pre-season sales/GM/Inventory flow goals that tie to the topline benchmark metrics, Grow/Maintain/Downtrend strategies and support in presenting financial strategies to upper management

• Partner with Merchandising to build assortment strategies that tie to topline metrics. Support merchandising team in pulling analysis to support key assortment and investment strategies.

• Manage good cross-functional relationships within the day-to-day business from a pricing/ promotion and inventory/sales/GM perspective as well as make recommendations on strategies to improve the business

• Provide direct support to the Planning Manager and Merchandising team on all planning functions and initiatives. In conjunction with Manager, make recommendations for business adjustments based on analysis of current business; be involved with the decision-making process

• Responsible for the performance and development of an Associate Planner

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience

• 3-5 years of merchandising, retail buying, planning experience

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to analyze data and draw conclusions and recommendations

• Strong retail math skills and sound understanding of merchandise planning

• Strong organizational, planning, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrate effective leadership skills, being able to work autonomously as well as in a team

• Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

• Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple deliverables

• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)

COMPETENCIES

• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Takes ownership and responsibility to achieve business results. Accurately translates strategy into execution. Sets clear expectations and achieves results through others.
• LEARNING ORIENTED: Actively develops self and/or others using internal/external methods for growth. Finds ways for team members to leverage their strengths and understands what skills re needed to be successful.
• ENERGIZE OTHERS: Proactively motivates and inspires others and positively challenges others to be their best. Engages team members by sharing ownership and effectively aligns work based on what motivates and inspires team members.
• CHAMPION OF CHANGE: Embraces new ways of working, has continuous improvement mindset and inspires others.
• DEVELOP ORGANIZATIONAL TALENT: Identify, attract and develop talent and creates organizational capability for current and future business needs.

Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.