Associate merchandise planner

About us

Talbots is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, we are known for modern classic style that's both timeless and timely, fine quality craftsmanship and gracious service. At Talbots relationships are the key to our business, we hire individuals who bring new ideas to the table, understand smart risk taking and can enhance an already thriving culture. With a commitment to offer modern classic style for every body type, through a full range of sizes, inclusive to every woman in your life.

The Merchandise Associate Planner makes a daily impact on their business and lives the values of the organization. He/she owns all omni-channel merchandise planning activities, including the development of financial sales, gross margin, and inventory plans for their dept(s). This position is accountable for sales, margin, markdown, and inventory strategies to ensure profitability. He/she drives results through analysis, strategic thinking, pre-season plan development, and in-season management with their Cross Functional Team (CFT). He/she will strategize with Merchandising and Allocation partners to ensure that the financial goals are achieved, and will attain buy-in from the Manager and VP Planning and the Manager and VP Merchandising. The Associate Planner will have additional support and training as part of their professional development.

What We Offer:

• Growth! Here at Talbots our goal is to give you the opportunities to grow with us. Our Performance Feedback Program allows for healthy career conversations and goal setting throughout the year.

• Condensed Work Week! If we have no work obligations and have fulfilled our 40-hour week, our Life-Work balance approach allows for us to start our weekend at 1pm on Fridays.

• Complete Benefit Package! Our benefits kick off the first day of the month after your start date! Discover more about our full benefits package here. We have competitive time off, including paid time to volunteer within the community.

• Merchandise Discounts! Our associates receive 50% off Talbots and select Haven Well Within brand items. Additionally, you may also be eligible for discounts at the brands across KnitWell Group.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop Business Growth Strategies

  • Owns and is accountable for departmental success. Responsible for OTB re-forecasting at a weekly level to reflect trends, alignment with company direction, and recommendations for solutions for risks and opportunities. Able to communicate the business needs to Manager and Sr. Leadership.

  • Develop expertise both pre-season and in-season on product mix performance for sales and inventory at the dept, class, and style/color level.

  • Identify issues and opportunities within product mix, and use analytics and creative problem solving to drive profitable solutions.

  • Recommend markdown and liquidation strategies to maximize omni-channel profitability.

• Support Smart Risk Taking and Innovation

  • Through analysis, strategic thinking, and collaboration recommend the financial classification plans/key items plans for sales, margin and inventory.

  • Financially guide the CFT to identify business driving opportunities through analytics and risk management.

  • Support and be a change agent for company initiatives.

• Collaborate with and Influence the CFT

  • Partner with the Manager and merchandising team pre season to develop plans that support the product strategies and in season to react to business and product needs.

  • Ensure alignment of top/down and bottoms/up style/color plans with merchandising strategies and financial targets.

  • Partner with the Inventory Analyst team to maximize omni profitability through pre-season store cluster analysis, initial allocation, DC management, and in-season management.

• Strengthen Teams

  • Work closely with Merchants, Inventory Analysts, and Company Planning to support their success.

  • Infuse energy and enthusiasm into the team dynamic.

Collaborate with other planners to support consistency and best practices throughout the organization.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 3-5+ years of experience in planning, allocation, or merchandising

• Stores and/or direct experience required, omni preferred

• Functional understanding of retail/vertical business processes

• Able to think objectively and interpret themes from quantitative and qualitative data

• Able to think independently and articulate your point of view

• Naturally curious and comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance

• Able to recommend solves for problems and drive resolution with the CFT

• Able to recommend clear ideas and direction to others

• Can build collaborative relationships with a diverse group of business partners

• Demonstrate listening, written and oral communication skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel required

• Planning system experience preferred: JDA, Oracle, SAP preferred

• Experience with or a strong ability to learn reporting/data warehousing tools preferred

• Possess strong organization and time management skills

• Possess a strong sense of urgency and a high level of attention to detail

• Must be organized, disciplined, and able to work under pressure while being flexible and able to adapt

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Position Type:

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [email protected]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.