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Director, Merchandise Planning
Sears Holdings
Hoffman Estates, IL, United States
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Job Description
The Director of Merchandise Planning is responsible for partnering with the business unit's Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. The focus of the position is to understand the business strategy and objectives to ensure space allocation within each store is optimized in meeting the financial goals of the business and Sears Holdings Corporation.
A successful incumbent will partner with the apparel business units, store operations and inventory to ensure the strategy and vision are executed for each transition and/or item swap within planned budget and project timelines.
Responsibilities/Skills/Experience Requirements
Job Duties / Responsibilities:
• Ensures adequate planning and allocation of resources to support all merchandise planning initiatives to meet established project timelines
• Coordinates with the merchant organization to translate strategic vision into store specific and prototypical merchandise plans within assigned business area
• Monitors quality results of space and merchandise plans to ensure all plans are accurate and executable at store level
• Interprets analytics and recommends action steps that are focused on improving the productivity of space in the assigned business areas
• Creates and manages documentation for Merchandise Planning Criteria in assigned business areas with consideration for layout, space allocation, category adjacencies, item placement and customer experience
• Participates in the development of new business opportunities working with competitive intelligence, space optimization, and concept testing
• Regularly visits a variety of formats and competitors to review best practices that can be incorporated into SHC merchandise planning and presentation
• Performs supervisory functions, including but not limited to, making employment decisions regarding hiring, promoting, demoting and terminating, conducting performance appraisals and coaching and developing associates.
Job Requirements:
• BA/BS in Business, Supply Chain, Retail, Merchandising, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 15 years Field Retail, Merchandising, Buying, Store Design, or equivalent experience
• 5 years’ experience in Director level role
• Strong analytical and financial skills
• Proven ability to make decisions, manage teams and projects, and deliver results
• Proven ability to manage situations that require analytical thinking, negotiation, interpretation and execution
• In-depth knowledge of retail, supply chain, merchandise layout and space planning practices and procedures with the ability to analyze and interpret space and space productivity data
• Proficiency in JDA Intactix Enterprise Suite and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of financial, economic, accounting theory and statistical modeling techniques
• Ability to facilitate group discussion for maximum idea generation and problem solving
• Ability to participate actively in cross-functional initiatives and projects
• Demonstrated knowledge of industry practices, current trends and competitor strengths and weaknesses
• Familiarity with inventory, financial, merchandising and operating systems