Senior Merchandise Planner

The Senior Merchandise Planner at this fast-growing DTC brand in Cairo will be responsible for developing and executing merchandise planning strategies, managing sales forecasting and inventory optimization, ensuring alignment with sales and margin goals, and conducting performance analysis. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance product assortments and drive business growth.

Candidates applying for the Senior Merchandise Planner role should have 5-7+ years of merchandise planning experience, particularly in DTC eCommerce or multi-channel retail, alongside expertise in Open-to-Buy management. Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in inventory planning software, particularly Singuli, are crucial for analyzing data and making informed business decisions.

The Senior Merchandise Planner plays a pivotal role in revenue growth by delivering strategic insights that maximize profit margins through effective inventory and sales management, continuously analyzing product performance, and making adjustments in real-time to better meet customer demand and optimize stock levels.

As a Senior Merchandise Planner, you'll enjoy a fully remote work environment where you're expected to operate during the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM PST. This high-growth company fosters a collaborative atmosphere, values proactive problem-solving, and embraces innovation, making it an exciting place for individuals passionate about eCommerce and merchandise planning.

The Senior Merchandise Planner works closely with various teams such as Merchandising, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless coordination of strategies concerning product assortments, inventory management, and new product launches. This collaboration is vital for optimizing inventory levels and supporting ongoing business growth.

When answering this question, focus on your hands-on experience with OTB management. Discuss specific examples of how you've used OTB planning to control inventory and respond to sales trends in past positions. Highlight any tools or software you've used and the outcomes of your strategies.

Share your methodology for sales forecasting, including the data sources and analytical techniques you employ. Discuss how you ensure accuracy in your forecasts and any specific tools you've used in your previous roles to enhance accuracy over time.

In your response, talk about the importance of balancing stock levels with sales demand. Provide examples of how you have previously utilized data analytics to guide your inventory decisions and avoid overstock or stockouts.

Describe your approach to product performance analysis, including metrics you track and how you interpret data. Provide an example of a time when your analysis led to actionable insights and adjustments that improved sales.

Share a specific incident where scenario planning was critical. Highlight your thought process in assessing risks and benefits, and the final decisions made to mitigate potential downsides and capitalize on opportunities.

Discuss your time management techniques and how you prioritize tasks based on their impact on business goals. Provide a real-life example illustrating how you effectively met deadlines while maintaining quality in your work.

Mention any relevant tools you've mastered in inventory management, particularly Singuli in this context, and discuss how you utilize these tools for effective planning and reporting. Explain how proficiency in these tools has contributed to your success in previous roles.

Highlight your communication skills and past experiences. Discuss strategies you employ to keep all relevant stakeholders informed and engaged in the merchandise planning process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving merchandise strategies.

Provide a detailed experience of a significant challenge you encountered in merchandise planning. Explain the steps you took to overcome it, what you learned, and the positive outcomes that followed.

Talk about your fascination with eCommerce and the intimate industry, discussing how you align with the company's mission and values. Convey your enthusiasm for contributing to the team's growth and further expanding your skill set.