Associate Merchandise Planner

Aquent is proud to partner with a rapidly growing, premier retail leader that places product planning, forecasting, and allocation at the heart of their consumer journey. Their energetic and innovative inventory management team is dedicated to continuously improving speed and accuracy, ensuring their brand promise is delivered in a fast-evolving marketplace and creating amazing brand experiences.

Are you a strategic, data-driven professional eager to shape the success of a leading retail brand? In this pivotal role, you will be an integral part of a dynamic inventory management team, where your expertise will directly influence product availability and market success. You'll manage brand planning, optimize inventory, and serve as a core financial partner to the buying teams, directly contributing to the growth of strategic brand partnerships and transforming complex data into thriving retail strategies that reach consumers nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Own accurate monthly, in-season Open to Buy (OTB) sales, gross margin percentage, receipt, and inventory adjustment projections. Reconcile OTB projections with demand planning system forecasts and present updates at cross-functional meetings.
• Develop tailored strategies for new brands, including projected sales, SKU-level inventory needs, and order flow setups for optimal launch windows.
• Analyze and validate sales and inventory needs for key initiatives, marketing activations, and promotions. Conduct seasonal "hindsight" analysis on brand newness and campaign performance.
• Maintain consistent communication with vendors regarding performance and inventory health. Partner with product selection teams to validate product assortments, recommend items to discontinue or develop, and curate a highly productive catalog.
• Partner with inventory leadership, buying teams, and vendors to create comprehensive pre-season brand budget plans.
• Partner with demand planning on strategy, guide planning assistants to prioritize crucial orders, and develop liquidation strategies for overstock or exiting collections.

Required Skills & Experience

• 4+ years of professional experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or retail demand planning.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, with intermediate-to-expert skills in MS Excel.
• A proven ability to interpret complex data and synthesize it into intelligent, actionable business decisions.
• Clear and concise communication (written, verbal, and presentation-ready), negotiation skills, and a keen attention to detail.
• A flexible team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can handle multiple shifting priorities seamlessly.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Finance, Business, or a related field.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.