Associate Merchandise Planner - Contemporary

Salary Range Minimum

77,880

Salary Range Maximum

129,840

Job Overview

The Associate, Assortment Planner, reports directly to the Director of Assortment Planning and plays a crucial role in supporting the strategic development and execution of buying frameworks for a designated category. This position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with top-line strategic and financial objectives. The ideal candidate contributes to various aspects of assortment planning, from pre-market analysis to in-market quantification and post-market adjustments.

What You Will Do

Overall:

• Collaborate with the Director to develop and execute the buying framework for the designated category.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to align with strategic and financial objectives.
• Assist in conducting thorough analyses of pre-market, in-market, and post-market activities.
• Support crafting and implementing Private Brand line plans, considering historical performance and adoption rates.
• Contribute to style outs to ensure alignment with customer preferences and market trends.
• Assist in overseeing the allocation process, confirming store matrix, and applying Min/Max at the Style level.
• Foster a culture of excellence and collaboration within the Assortment Planning team.

Pre-Market:

• Support the development of by-store sales and turn plans aligned with annual financial targets.
• Assist in inspecting receipt flow plans, addressing variances with Financial Planning.
• Contribute to defining clustering strategies considering channel, tier/climate differences by category.
• Participate in building and maintaining category C-1 in coordination with the Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM).
• Support the assessment of current season performance and determining future season replenishment assortment.
• Assist in establishing bottoms-up targets for key-item volume drivers, trends, and newness.
• Provide support in owning Private Brand line plans, adjusting based on historical category performance.
• Assist in evaluating breadth, depth, and productivity of the assortment.
• Collaborate in finalizing the 'shopping list' composition prior to market appointments.

In-Market:

• Collaborate in quantifying Buyer's curated assortment by brand, style, channel, and store cluster.
• Ensure alignment with cluster financial targets and assortment framework.
• Assist in identifying duplication across styles and vendors during the style out process.

Post-Market:

• Support conducting style outs in NuOrder or within the market cycle based on system capabilities.
• Contribute to addressing key style out questions, including customer attributes and tier differences.
• Assist in finalizing necessary changes after style out and Buy Review; support sending orders for allocation.

Key Process Updates:

Pre-Market:

• Participate in discussions led by the Senior Director, Assortment Planning, reviewing each Assortment Wedge.
• Contribute to discussions on top goals, risk and upside assessment, clustering strategy, breadth and depth philosophy, and key door initiatives.

In-Market:

• Collaborate within the Assortment Planning team to support the quantification process.
• Be prepared to attend market appointments in the absence of the Assortment Director.

Post-Market:

• Provide support in conducting style outs in NuOrder, addressing key questions related to customer attributes and tier differences.
• Assist in confirming the store matrix and applying Min/Max at the Style level during the allocation process.

Allocation:

• Contribute to confirming the store matrix as the first part of the allocation process.
• Assist in applying Min/Max at the Style level to ensure appropriate depth.
• Support in EDI allocations to vendors at least 30 days prior to In-DC dates.
• Collaborate in inspecting receipt availability before releasing orders.

Skills You Will Need

Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing sales data, turn plans, and financial targets to inform assortment planning decisions.

Collaboration and Communication: Ability to collaborate within the Assortment Planning team and contribute to a culture of excellence and collaboration.

Retail Knowledge: Understanding of retail concepts, including assortment planning, private brand line plans, and allocation processes.

Quantitative Skills: Proficient in quantitative analysis, including building and maintaining category C-1, assessing current season performance, and determining future season replenishment assortment.

Planning and Organization: Strong organizational skills to assist in the development of by-store sales and turn plans, inspection of receipt flow plans, and management of key processes in pre-market, in-market, and post-market phases.

Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with relevant tools and systems, such as NuOrder and EDI systems, to conduct style outs, confirm store matrix, and apply Min/Max at the Style level.

Decision-Making: Strong decision-making skills, particularly in finalizing necessary changes after style out and Buy Review and supporting in sending orders for allocation.

Who You Are

• Dedicated to fulfilling ideals of diversity, inclusion, and respect that Macy’s aspires to achieve every day in every way.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field are encouraged to apply.
• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands/fingers to touch, handle, and feel. Occasionally required to move about the workplace and reach with hands and arms. Requires close vision.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.

What We Can Offer You

• An inclusive, challenging, and refreshingly fun work environment
• Competitive pay and benefits rooted in principles of equity
• Performance incentives and annual merit review
• Merchandise discounts
• Health and Wellness Benefits across medical, dental, vision, and additional insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan with 401k match opportunity
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health counseling and legal/financial advice)
• Resources for continuous learning, career growth, and leadership development
• 8 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (first year prorated depending on start date)
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Guild education benefit funds 100% of tuition, books, and fees in designated programs
• Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) and give-back/volunteer opportunities
• Empowerment and autonomy to perform impactful work with tangible results

About Macy’s

Now is an exciting time for a Macy's career as we continue to focus on creating exciting and memorable experiences for every Macy's customer, whether their journey starts online or in the store. Our opportunities in Sales, Merchandise, Operations, Customer Service, Warehouse, Marketing, and other areas let you express your creativity and commitment to excellence, grow your career and make a difference to your Macy's colleagues and customers.

Bring your creativity, energy, and ideas to the Macy's team – Apply Today!

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