Associate Merchandise Planner
The Associate Merchandise Planner supports the planning team by analyzing sales trends, inventory levels, and forecasting to optimize merchandise strategies that drive sales and profitability. This role involves collaborating with buying and merchandising teams, preparing performance reports, and assisting in inventory and promotional planning to ensure product availability across retail and e-commerce channels.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Retail / Fashion (Apparel & Athleisure).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position overview
Confidential Client is hiring an Associate Merchandise Planner to support the planning team in executing merchandise strategies that drive sales and profitability across retail and e‑commerce channels. This is an entry-level, analytical role ideal for candidates who are passionate about fashion/athleisure, comfortable with data, and eager to grow in inventory planning, forecasting, and retail analytics.
What you’ll do
- Assist in developing seasonal merchandise plans and weekly performance tracking.
- Analyze sales trends, inventory levels, and SKU performance to identify risks and opportunities.
- Support maintenance of Open‑to‑Buy (OTB) and forecasting tools.
- Partner with buying, allocation, and merchandising teams to align plans and execution.
- Prepare weekly and monthly reports on sales, stock levels, and KPIs (sell‑through, turns).
- Monitor product flow and delivery timelines to help ensure stock availability.
- Contribute to markdown recommendations and promotional planning analysis.
- Assist with post‑season reviews and data analysis for future planning cycles.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Retail Management, or related field.
- 1–2 years of experience in retail, planning, merchandising, or an analytical internship; fashion industry experience is a plus.
- Strong interest in fashion/apparel and retail operations.
- Solid Excel skills — comfortable with formulas, pivot tables and reporting.
- Excellent attention to detail, organization, and a proactive mindset.
- Strong verbal and written communication; collaborative and team‑oriented.
- Internship or retail experience in buying, planning, or allocation preferred.
- Familiarity with planning tools or ERP systems (Anaplan, SAP, JDA, or similar) is a plus.
- Understanding of retail metrics: sell‑through, gross margin, inventory turn.
Compensation & benefits
- Base salary range: $75,000–$85,000 per year (range represents Confidential Client’s current estimate for this exempt position; actual pay will vary based on location, experience, and other factors).
- Total rewards may include performance bonuses, long‑term incentives, PTO, and other benefits.
(Where state pay‑transparency rules apply, this posting includes the disclosed salary range. Careertakes does not fabricate salary information.)
Why join
- Start your career with hands‑on planning experience in a fast‑paced apparel/athleisure environment.
- Work cross‑functionally with buyers, merchandisers and allocation teams.
- Learn industry planning tools and strengthen data and forecasting skills.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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