Category Financial Planner
Work closely with buyers to create category financial plans. Plan, forecast and coordinate each division's weekly, period and annual sales for general merchandise (GM); ensure profit budget is consistent with corporate / division goals. Perform analyses; recommend actionable steps to improve / enhance category performance. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
- Create / manage financial plans by period, including sales, markdowns, gross margin and turnover at sub-class level for department store formats and class level for other formats
- Create / manage assortment plans; perform product allocation for department, marketplace and food stores
- Provide analysis based on quantitative / qualitative sources to drive enterprise sales, margin and inventory strategies
- Support advertising / display plans and optimization of on-floor presentations and turnover
- Re-forecast in-season sales, margin and turnover based on current trends / market dynamics; recommend actions to address improvement opportunities
- Reconcile department store open-to-buy; communicate status to key stakeholders
- Analyze seasonal / fashion categories; recommend courses of action; create a strategy for the following season
- Facilitate team meetings; provide timely communications to the planning team regarding process strategies
Work closely with Replenishment team to manage store / warehouse inventory
Create / manage sales markdown reports / forecasts for department storesDetermine plan-o-gram minimums by utilizing store volume and with input from GM / divisional merchandise managers, buyers and replenishment analysts; communicate results to vendorsConduct enterprise-wide store toursMaintain awareness of industry trends, the competitive landscape across enterprise and regional needsAnalyze results of promotions / markdowns; make recommendations to support business goalsEnsure new / remodeled stores are planned correctly and inventory is allocated to maximize salesTravel to markets and for vendor appointmentsMust be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodationQualifications
Minimum - Bachelor's Degree business or a related field plus two years of combined assistant buyer and assistant planner experience or a combination of relevant education / experience
Ability to complete tasks with a high level of accuracy and a strong attention to detailHigh complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales / EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 11)Moderate complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales / EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 10)Low complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales / EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 9)Highly motivated / self-directedAbility to function in a fast-paced retail / office environmentProficient Microsoft Office skillsFamiliar with retail industry technical terms / processesAbility to organize / prioritize tasks / projectsDesired - Computer systems knowledge
Experience directing / participating on project teamsFamiliarity with financial systems