Merchandise Planner - LOFT Outlet Stores

About usKnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant, and Talbots. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.Merchandise Planner – dresses/jackets (LOFT Outlet Stores)About the roleThe Merchandise Planner for dresses/jackets at LOFT Outlet Stores (LOS) plays a key role in the pro-active management of the business to maximize sales, margin and inventory through strategic end-to-end optimization across all customer channels (direct consumer business), accountable for, by channel, pre-season and in-season. The Planner builds financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans for multiple departments in a given area. This work requires strong analytical and story-telling skills, the ability to build close partnerships with other functions, and a focus on executing best-in-class customer experience while delivering/exceeding financial targets.The Impact You Will Have• Accountable for departmental success. Responsible for OTB re-forecasting at a weekly level to reflect trends, alignment with company direction, and solutions for risks and opportunities.• Through analysis, strategic thinking, and collaboration develop the financial classification plans/key items plans for sales, margin and inventory.• Proactively identify issues and opportunities within product mix and use analytics and creative problem solving to drive profitable solutions.• Actively recommend markdown and liquidation strategies to maximize store profitability.• Collaborate with the merchant team to develop and communicate a comprehensive pre-season strategy that aligns financial and product opportunities across multiple departments, inclusive of style/sku targets, in-store dates, good/better/best framework, key attribute, and season code (time on offer).• Participate in all aspects of line building process with Merchandising Lead or participate in department projects to improve systems or efficiencies.• Ensure alignment of top/down and bottoms/up style/color plans with merchandising strategies and financial targets.• Partner with the Inventory Planning team to maximize profitability through pre-season store cluster analysis, initial allocation, DC management, and in-season management.• Drive profitability through leading and executing promotional and markdown strategies which align with divisional and brand financial goals.• Analyze business weekly as it relates to last forecast and last year, identify trends and highlight selling that exceeds or falls short of expectation.• Collaborate with other planners to drive consistency and best practices throughout the organizationYou’ll bring to the role• Minimum 3-4 years of experience years of experience in planning which includes knowledge of buying and allocation. Retail experience preferred.• Undergraduate degree in finance, economics, accounting, business or related field-- MBA a plus• Excellent technical skills – MS Office (specifically Excel, Word)• Stores and/or direct experience required.• Customer-centric focus with understanding of customer needs and ability to understand market trends.• Ability to build strong relationships with a diverse group of cross functional partners and cascade the proper level of information to support decision making.• Possesses a clear understanding of financial measurements; sales, weeks of supply, inventory turn, sales thru and how to impact them.• Proven ability to interpret and synthesize data into intelligent business decisions.• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to handle multiple priorities.• Strong verbal and written communication skills• Ability to work in fast-paced, often-changing environmentBenefits• Merchandise discount at our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Ann Taylor, LOFT, & Lane Bryant (in store and online)• Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities*• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K)*• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)• Time off – paid time off & holidays*• The target salary range for this role is: $85,000 – 95,000/yr• Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.This position works in a hybrid model, with three days per week worked in the Times Square Tower office location and two days per week worked remotely.#LI-MJ1Location:Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036Position Type:Regular/Full timeEqual Employment OpportunityThe Company is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified people at all levels. It is our policy in all personnel actions to ensure that all associates and potential associates are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate in any of our employment policies and practices. All associates are expected to follow these principles in all relationships with other associates, applicants, or others with whom we do business.