Brand Overview:maurices is a women’s apparel retailer that celebrates feel good fashion for real life. It’s committed to its service with style promise and offering affordable fashion that takes women from workday to weekend and all of life’s adventures in between. With inclusive sizing from 0-24, maurices is famous for its versatile styles including key categories such as denim, dresses, tops, and more. Established in 1931, maurices operates 935 stores in communities across North America. Discover even more fashion at maurices.com.

Ready to apply? We currently have an opportunity for a Merchandise Planner (Apparel) to join our team located at our Corporate Office-maurices-Duluth, MN 55802.

Ready to help bring feel good fashion for real life™ to hometowns across North America?  Join our family of amazing individuals in our corporate office in Duluth, Minnesota, ranked one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2019. Since 1931, we’ve helped women look and feel their best every day — making maurices not only a special place to shop, but a great place to work and connect. Apply today!

Position Overview:

 

Role Purpose: 

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving the financial planning process in support of the merchant strategy and company goals. The Planner builds and presents pre-season financial plans using customer analytics that support the merchant’s vision at a category/channel level. Is responsible for effectively distorting the business for assigned product category by identifying opportunities and risks through monthly in-season forecast updates. 

 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

 

Essential Duties and Functions: 

 

Build annual sales, margin, and inventory plans for assigned category:  

Accountable for delivering solid annual financial plans and strategies in accordance with the Product Lifecycle Calendar (PLC) meeting cadence. Initiate and own plan discussions and development and prepare the cross functional team for milestone meetings.  

Prepare and present season/class plans through: research and analysis of data, appropriate interpretation of historical data, trend analysis, work with pricing and promotions team, and collaboration with cross functional partners that support total company financial goals.  

 

OTB/Inventory management:  

Develops monthly reforecast of sales, margin and inventory plans. Analyzes historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities and to make recommendations for action.  

Discuss and communicate forecast with team and hold merchant partners accountable for results.  

 

Analysis:  

Weekly and/or monthly reporting  

Develop ad hoc analyses, recaps, and ladder plans as appropriate  

Understanding of how trends within your category impact the business as a whole  

Utilize APT or partners with APT knowledge to analyze geographic, demographic, promotional, or other impacts on business or basket analysis by orchestrating test and learn scenarios.  

 

Create and maintain strong partnerships:  

Positively impact and influence others by advocating position supported with data and analytics.  

Clearly communicate and collaborate with key business partners including merchants, planning analysts, allocation, and planning peers. Other partners include pricing/promotions team, Company Planning, and Visual/Site Merchandising.  

Education/Skills and Experience Requirements: 

 

Education:  

 

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required  

 

Experience:  

 

2+ years of retail planning/allocation experience is required  

 

Working knowledge of computers with high level of proficiency in excel, word, and database warehouse tools.  

 

Skills:  

 

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills coupled with excellent organizational and communication skills. 

 

Proactive, curious, independent and critical thinker with ability to work in team-oriented environment.  

 

Ability to develop strong, effective cross-functional relationships.  

 

Ability to confidently assert his/her position, while using facts and data to support conclusions and recommendations.  

 

Open and agile to change – flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.  

 

Influencing skills – ability to package and present analysis and recommendations to leadership of varying levels. 

 

 

Location:Corporate Office-maurices-Duluth, MN 55802Position Type:Regular/Full time

Pay Range:

Annual Salary: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00

Equal Employment Opportunity

The 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.