Senior Manager of Merchandise Planning

AWB Overview

Ames Watson Brands (“AWB”) is a multifaceted holding company and brand accelerator dedicated to transforming luxury brands. Our mission is to identify emergent talent and brands at a strategic inflection point and provide the resources and expertise necessary for brand development and long-term value creation. We leverage operational excellence, strategic partnerships, and a data-driven approach to drive product innovation and accelerate growth. With a focus on quality and brand development, we create, curate, and distribute high-quality products and content to maximize the potential of the brands we work with.

General Position Summary

AWB is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager of Merchandise Planning to join our team and spearhead the retail planning efforts across our companies. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for driving merchandising strategy and implementing top-down and bottom-up merchandise plans to ensure our companies meet and exceed their financial goals and business objectives. The ideal candidate is data-driven, proactive, fast-paced, and possesses a deep understanding of retail operations, inventory management, and market trends.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Retail Strategy Development: Develop, implement, and refine retail strategies in alignment with the company's overall business goals. Identify opportunities for growth, expansion, and improved customer experiences through comprehensive retail planning.
• Inventory Management: Lead the development and execution of inventory management plans, including demand forecasting, replenishment strategies, and stock allocation across retail locations. Monitor inventory levels to prevent overstock or stockouts, optimizing sales, turnover, and minimizing carrying costs.
• Open to Buy Planning Process: Own the open to buy process and oversee the successful development and implementation of new open to buy strategies.
• Retail Analytics: Utilize predictive analytics to analyze market conditions and trends to drive inventory strategies, forecasts, and optimization of stock levels to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Financial Analysis: Utilize financial data and market insights to make informed decisions regarding pricing, promotions, and markdowns. Analyze sales trends, profit margins, and other relevant metrics to ensure profitability while meeting customer demand.
• Collaborative Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with various departments including finance, marketing, operations, and supply chain to align retail planning efforts with overall company objectives. Communicate effectively to ensure coordination and cooperation across teams.
• Store Performance Evaluation: Develop and implement methodologies to assess channel-specific performance, including sales targets, traffic, and conversion rates. Regularly review channel-level metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.

Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Merchandise Assortment Planning: Support the creation of merchandise assortment plans for companies by considering local market preferences, customer demographics, and seasonal trends. Ensure the right product mix is available to meet customer needs and preferences.
• New Store Openings and Expansion: Play a pivotal role in planning and executing the successful opening of new retail locations. Coordinate with real estate, construction, and operations teams to ensure a smooth launch.
• Technology and Tools Utilization: Leverage retail planning software, data analytics tools, and technology to optimize planning processes, improve accuracy, and enhance decision-making.
• Team Management: Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the retail planning team. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages professional growth and development.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Retail Management, or a related field
• 8-10 years of experience in retail planning, inventory management, or related roles, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing retail strategies that drive revenue and growth.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights. Experience using Excel and other merchandise planning platforms to drive KPI’s.
• Proficiency in using retail planning software, data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with cross-functional teams and senior management.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and constantly evolving retail environment.
• Strategic thinking, adaptability, and a results-oriented mindset.