Senior Retail & Merchandise Planner (Remote)

Make your next big career move by applying as KMC Solutions' next SENIOR PLANNER!

Our client business is a fast-growing U.S.-based online personal styling and fashion retailer dedicated to delivering curated apparel and lifestyle experiences through data-driven merchandising and exceptional customer service.

You will lead Open-to-Buy (OTB), forecasting, inventory planning, and reporting while providing strategic recommendations that optimize sales, margin, and inventory health.

The role also serves as a planning leader, helping elevate planning standards and analytical rigor across the broader merchandising team.

On top of your salary, here are the exciting benefits you can look forward to:

• Work directly with senior leaders and play a key role in shaping merchandise planning strategy across six business units.
• High-impact role with real ownership—your decisions directly influence inventory, sales, and financial performance.
• Opportunity to work with a fast-growing U.S.-based fashion and e-commerce company in a collaborative, data-driven environment.
• Exposure to modern planning methodologies, AI-enabled tools, and advanced retail analytics.
• Flexible remote work arrangement while collaborating with global cross-functional teams.
• A culture that values autonomy, innovation, and continuous improvement, where your ideas can drive meaningful business results.
• Career growth opportunities as you help establish planning standards and influence the future of the Planning & Assortment function.
• Be part of a team that embraces ownership, analytical excellence, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

The main responsibilities of a SENIOR PLANNER include:

• Lead the merchandise planning function across six business units, ensuring financial and inventory plans align with business objectives.
• Own and manage the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process, including planning cadence, governance, and financial targets.
• Develop and maintain sales, inventory, receipts, and demand forecasts while continuously adjusting plans based on business performance and market trends.
• Translate business goals into actionable merchandise and inventory strategies that optimize sales, margin, and inventory health.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, sell-through, weeks of supply (WOS), and other key metrics to provide data-driven recommendations.
• Lead weekly, monthly, and seasonal reporting, hindsight analysis, and financial reviews to identify opportunities and business risks.
• Manage markdown, clearance, and inventory liability strategies to maintain healthy inventory levels and minimize excess stock.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Buying, Finance, and Digital Commerce teams to support assortment planning and strategic business decisions.
• Continuously improve planning tools, reporting processes, and forecasting methodologies while leveraging AI-enabled and modern planning technologies.
• Establish planning best practices, mentor team members, and help elevate analytical capabilities across the merchandising organization.

To apply, you must be an expert on the following requirements:

• 7–10 years of experience in Retail Planning, Merchandise Planning, Merchandise Financial Planning (MFP), Inventory Planning, Demand Planning, or Allocation Planning.
• Proven expertise in Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning, merchandise financial planning, forecasting, and inventory management.
• Strong understanding of retail math, including sell-through, weeks of supply (WOS), inventory turn, IMU%, GM%, margin analysis, and financial forecasting.
• Demonstrated ability to develop sales, inventory, and demand forecasts and translate data into actionable business strategies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret large datasets and make data-driven business decisions.
• Experience influencing merchandising, buying, and assortment decisions through financial analysis and planning insights.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Merchandising, Finance, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities.
• Experience with planning and business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Anaplan is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Business, Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field.

It will also be favorable if you are knowledgeable in:

• AI-assisted forecasting, planning, and productivity tools that improve planning accuracy and efficiency.
• Business intelligence and data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Enterprise planning and ERP systems, including SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Anaplan.
• Merchandise assortment planning, category management, and allocation strategies.
• E-commerce and omnichannel retail business models.
• Process improvement, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives within merchandise planning.
• Mentoring or coaching team members and promoting planning best practices across cross-functional teams.
• Working in a fast-paced, high-growth retail or e-commerce environment with global stakeholders.
• Fashion, apparel, consumer goods, beauty, or sporting goods merchandising and planning