About the position

This position is responsible for developing the overall merchandise inventory and demand planning strategies for their respective Division. This position requires a proven knowledge and background of inventory planning and Allocation practices and alignment with your cross functional partners. It also requires a deep knowledge of Microsoft excel & Allocation systems. This position will leverage the candidates analytical and leadership skill sets to influence the decision-making process and deliver the merchandise inventory & demand planning objectives. As a Senior Manager Merchandise Demand Planning & Allocation, you will be responsible for leading the development of accurate forecast and inventory plans (sales, inventory and turn) that support the merchandise strategy and financial objectives for your respective division. Also, you will be responsible for leading both the Demand Planning decision making process and Allocation decisions for all departments within your area of responsibility as well as, identifying and communicating opportunities for improvement to your manager while working with your peers and business partners to enable an effective cross functional team. In addition to that, you will: Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for the Demand Planning team, building capability, driving adoption of best practices, and ensuring the team effectively partners with Merchandising, Allocation, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver divisional objectives. Achieves Sales, Margin, and Inventory Turnover and other KPIs as designated to plan. Develop & lead overall division strategy vision, policies, resources, and execution plans to align to the corporate strategy. Lead & participate in the seasonal, annual, and long-range strategic and financial planning across a wide array of vendor (direct and external), customer, and merchandising segments. Train and lead team to use consumer insights and data combined with a structured test and learn approach to maximize growth opportunities. Leads, executes and measures performance against the business planning and product creation calendars to drive timely and informed decision making. Supports the VP & Director to present within various strategic meetings for the division (vendor, business reviews, and other meetings) Partner with Sr Manager Financial planning to help manage Seasonal Planning, Ladder Planning. Manages the end-to-end process of demand planning and allocation optimization, including in-stock and service levels for funded items and promotional product; set targets and achieves plans for inventory and space productivity required to support the sales, gross margin and in-stock plans, maintain high levels of promotional product availability during promotional periods while minimizing ad residue, and optimizing end-caps, drive aisle, and in-line storytelling and integration consistent with consumer shopping patterns. Successfully manages department and SKU level planning to reflect unique store and merchandise assortments, including localization, that allows for sharp transition between selling periods. Leads the development and execution of demand planning, including information sharing and problem solving with vendors around purchase orders, capacities, forecasting, and network inventory flow and optimization Manages the creation, accuracy, & communication of vendor demand plans. Responsible for management and maintenance of order policy and all business metrics within. Actively create and lead special projects that drive growth opportunities. Build and submit division and category promotional plans including: Ads, Planner Locations, Promotional Offers, and Layouts, Develops the holistic understanding of category, consumer, and competitive dynamics; translates them into division portfolio plans that optimize revenue, margin, pricing and product cost. Manages processes and systems to optimize accuracy, efficiency, inventory productivity, space utilization, and margin optimization. Accountable for team development to include recruiting, training, development and succession planning. Leads the development and execution of space and localized assortment plans fully encompassing category requirements and plan.

Responsibilities

• Developing the overall merchandise inventory and demand planning strategies for their respective Division.
• Leading the development of accurate forecast and inventory plans (sales, inventory and turn) that support the merchandise strategy and financial objectives for your respective division.
• Leading both the Demand Planning decision making process and Allocation decisions for all departments within your area of responsibility.
• Identifying and communicating opportunities for improvement to your manager while working with your peers and business partners to enable an effective cross functional team.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for the Demand Planning team, building capability, driving adoption of best practices, and ensuring the team effectively partners with Merchandising, Allocation, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver divisional objectives.
• Achieves Sales, Margin, and Inventory Turnover and other KPIs as designated to plan.
• Develop & lead overall division strategy vision, policies, resources, and execution plans to align to the corporate strategy.
• Lead & participate in the seasonal, annual, and long-range strategic and financial planning across a wide array of vendor (direct and external), customer, and merchandising segments.
• Train and lead team to use consumer insights and data combined with a structured test and learn approach to maximize growth opportunities.
• Leads, executes and measures performance against the business planning and product creation calendars to drive timely and informed decision making.
• Supports the VP & Director to present within various strategic meetings for the division (vendor, business reviews, and other meetings)
• Partner with Sr Manager Financial planning to help manage Seasonal Planning, Ladder Planning.
• Manages the end-to-end process of demand planning and allocation optimization, including in-stock and service levels for funded items and promotional product; set targets and achieves plans for inventory and space productivity required to support the sales, gross margin and in-stock plans, maintain high levels of promotional product availability during promotional periods while minimizing ad residue, and optimizing end-caps, drive aisle, and in-line storytelling and integration consistent with consumer shopping patterns.
• Successfully manages department and SKU level planning to reflect unique store and merchandise assortments, including localization, that allows for sharp transition between selling periods.
• Leads the development and execution of demand planning, including information sharing and problem solving with vendors around purchase orders, capacities, forecasting, and network inventory flow and optimization
• Manages the creation, accuracy, & communication of vendor demand plans.
• Responsible for management and maintenance of order policy and all business metrics within.
• Actively create and lead special projects that drive growth opportunities.
• Build and submit division and category promotional plans including: Ads, Planner Locations, Promotional Offers, and Layouts.
• Develops the holistic understanding of category, consumer, and competitive dynamics; translates them into division portfolio plans that optimize revenue, margin, pricing and product cost.
• Manages processes and systems to optimize accuracy, efficiency, inventory productivity, space utilization, and margin optimization.
• Accountable for team development to include recruiting, training, development and succession planning.
• Leads the development and execution of space and localized assortment plans fully encompassing category requirements and plan.

Requirements

• Proven knowledge and background of inventory planning and Allocation practices and alignment with your cross functional partners.
• Deep knowledge of Microsoft excel & Allocation systems.
• Leverage the candidates analytical and leadership skill sets to influence the decision-making process and deliver the merchandise inventory & demand planning objectives.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a business focus.
• 7 plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Intermediate to expert skills in Excel, Replenishment systems, Microsoft Strategy as SAP, Relex & JDA Enterprise Planning are preferred.
• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.

Benefits

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more