Assistant Planner, Corporate Planning

The Assistant Planner, Corporate Planning is responsible for meeting or exceeding sales and profit objectives for the banner, working in partnership with Divisional Planning Managers, Divisional Merchandise Managers, and Planners. The responsibility includes partnering with the Director, Corporate Planning to establish seasonal planning targets and by door plans. The Planner, Corporate Planning will also assist in the open to buy process across Saks OFF 5TH team, in addition to managing multiple ad hoc projects related to overall banner planning strategies. This role requires strong partnerships with our Corporate Finance, Strategy, Digital, Tech, and Saks OFF 5TH Store teams.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $60,000 and $70,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Who Are You:

• You have a can-do attitude
• A natural problem-solver, who is also analytical and creative
• You understand the value of being proactive and solution-oriented

You Also Have:

• Strong communication and presentation skills; extensive exposure to senior management
• Post-Secondary education
• Demonstrated managerial and leadership skills
• Minimum 3 years in buying, planning or allocation capacity
• Strong business and financial analysis skills
• Off-Price retail experience preferred
• Excellent computer skills including MS Word and Excel; Buyers Workmate suite; i2 equivalent planning platform
• Strong cost math acumen, including elements of markup, margin planning, open to buy, inventory productivity measures (WOS, T/O, GMROI), master's understanding of budget frames

As The Assistant Planner, You Will:

Financial Planning

• Provide significant analysis to support seasonal planning decisions and directions, inventory aging, full priced and markdown selling and gross margin, transfers, new and closed stores and sku productivity.
• Lead the planning team in recommending potential systems and process enhancements relating to planning and open to buy. Create and participates in ensuring adherence to the company's planning calendar and presentations to support the communication of plans.
• Assist in developing sales, GP and inventory targets for the banner and major business areas. Develop department level store sales and gross profit plans with store partners. Create by day sales plans. Updates the monthly sales, gross profit and inventory forecast and reviews it with Finance. Coordinate the development of class and key item plans.
• Acts as the key liaison between Planning and Finance to provide forecasts and analytics.

Purchasing, Allocation, and Replenishment

• Tracks allocation accuracy and works with the planning team to provide the appropriate adjustments. Oversees the replenishment plans and reporting.
• Develops and maintains unit target setting by store and by family of business.
• Works closely with Planning teams to identify opportunities and drive business strategy.

Pricing and Marketing

• Visits stores as feasible. Reviews and approves Planning's timely responses to store visit notes.
• Reviews advertising and marketing plans. Participates in reviewing advertising effectiveness analysis.

Open-to-Buy Monitoring

• Reviews actual to planned receipt performance. Reviews performance via the monthly stock ledger. Participates in the development of and reviews age of inventory/ exit strategies.
• Reviews markdown projections and vendor allowance projections.
• Reviews all pertinent factors (MU, MD's, VA, etc.) relating to profitability. Manages the process including meeting plans, reporting and analysis, and reviews process with SVP of Planning and Chief Merchant.
• Identifies and communicates divisional OTB monthly trends and direction to Planning teams. Reviews and participates in the monthly OTB (forecast sales and inventories). Reviews inventory productivity (WOS, T/O) and recommends adjustments to business trends.

Merchandising

• Review key conclusions on style productivity and assortment breadth resulting from performing assortment analytics.

Business Strategy

• Support Planning Projects through the development of action focused solutions based on analysis. Presents findings and proposed actions to cross functional team members and business leaders.
• Key liaison between Planning and the Strategy team. Provides insight into banner data and reporting. Forecasts and tracks success of newly implemented projects/initiatives, opportunity areas and potential liabilities.

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