Assortment Planner, NA

The Assortment Planner at Nike is tasked with establishing clear assortment plans that align with profitability and consumer preferences. This includes collaborating with cross-functional teams to create pre-season style color plans, managing in-season optimization through robust forecasting, and presenting actionable insights based on data analysis to support business decisions.

To qualify for the Assortment Planner position at Nike, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree or a similar combination of education and relevant experience. Additionally, a minimum of two years in a similar role is preferred, along with a strong understanding of statistical forecasting and assortment planning.

Data analysis is central to the Assortment Planner's role at Nike. The planner utilizes data to develop seasonal plans, analyze in-season performance, and optimize inventory management. This analytical approach informs better decision-making and helps anticipate market trends, ensuring that product offerings resonate with consumers.

Collaboration is crucial for the Assortment Planner at Nike. By working closely with teams in Buying, Marketing, and Financial Planning, the planner ensures that product strategies are aligned with business goals and consumer needs. Effective communication and teamwork contribute to crafting compelling assortments that drive profitability.

The Assortment Planner position at Nike stands out due to its emphasis on integrating consumer insights with financial objectives. By leveraging data science and innovative planning methods, this role not only focuses on the aesthetics of product offerings but also ensures they are profitable and cater to market demand, making it a dynamic and impactful position within the company.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects you've worked on, methodologies you employed, and data-driven results you achieved. Highlight your ability to analyze consumer trends and how that shaped your assortment strategies as an Assortment Planner.

Explain how you assess the importance of various factors such as consumer demand, financial goals, and inventory levels. Discuss your decision-making process and any tools you use to help prioritize these demands while minimizing conflict and maximizing efficiency.

Be prepared to talk about specific tools or software you’ve used, such as Excel, planning software, or data analytics platforms. Illustrate how these tools help you capture trends, analyze data, and drive your assortment strategies effectively.

Focus on the incident, what you learned, and how you adjusted your approach subsequently. Insight into your ability to learn from mistakes and adapt your strategies will showcase your resilience and problem-solving skills.

Discuss your communication strategies, regular meetings, and collaborative technologies that help you maintain effective relationships with team members from different departments. Highlight the importance of sharing updates and integrating feedback into your plans.

Explain your methods for staying informed, such as industry publications, market research, or networking with other professionals. Show your passion for the field and the proactive approach you take to gather insights.

Detail each step, starting from research and data analysis to plan development and final presentation. This will exhibit your structured approach and the analytical thought process that goes into creating effective plans.

Illustrate how financial goals influence your planning and decision-making processes. Provide examples of how you've made decisions that impacted profitability while adapting to consumer demands.

Share examples of how you’ve successfully navigated changes by adjusting plans, leveraging data analytics, and collaborating with team members for informed decision-making to adapt swiftly.

Express your view on the value of analytical skills, collaboration, and a strong understanding of consumer needs. Provide reasons for your choice, relating it back to the key responsibilities and goals outlined by Nike for this role.