Merchandise Planning Manager - San Diego

SummaryAs the Merchandise Planning Manager at Event Network, you will lead merchandise planning, inventory strategy, and replenishment execution for assigned business areas across a multi-site retail business. Reporting to the VP of Planning and Replenishment, you will manage a Replenishment Analyst and jointly own planned inventory, turnover, SKU, and in-stock goals with the Buying and Product teams. You will work closely with the GMM and Senior Merchandise Managers to drive sales, profitability, and inventory productivity, including the planning and execution of large bulk and import buys.
Key Responsibilities• Business Leadership: Partner with the VP of Planning and Replenishment, GMM, Senior Merchandise Managers, Buyers, and Product partners to achieve sales, margin, inventory, and growth objectives within assigned business areas.• Merchandise Planning: Develop location-level inventory, margin, SKU count, and sales plans that align with financial targets and assortment architecture by category.• Inventory and Open-to-Buy: Reforecast monthly open-to-buy, assess sales and inventory by department, review variances, and recommend actions that improve inventory efficiency and return on inventory investment.• Replenishment Leadership: Manage, coach, and develop the Replenishment Analyst. Oversee store replenishment and reorder placement, establish priorities and operating rhythms, and monitor in-stock levels, inventory flow, and store needs.• Bulk and Import Buys: Lead planning for large bulk and import buys, including demand forecasting, purchase timing, inventory commitments, receipt flow, and risk mitigation in partnership with Buying, Product, and Operations.• Product Lifecycle: Build strong relationships with Product and Buying teams to manage product lifecycle, SKU rationalization, inventory levels, and assortment opportunities.• New Stores and Special Events: Develop inventory and assortment plans for new stores, remodels, exhibits, special events, and other business initiatives.• Analytics and Reporting: Analyze sales and product performance at the class, subclass, and SKU levels; identify risks and opportunities; and deliver weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc reporting with clear action plans.• Cross-functional Communication: Communicate quantitative insights, store needs, inventory gaps, and buying recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners and senior leadership.• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with peers to develop tools, share best practices, improve planning and replenishment processes, and expand systems knowledge.
Qualifications• Experience: Three or more years of experience as a Merchandise Planner, Planning Manager, Replenishment Manager, or similar retail planning role.• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, marketing, business, or a related field preferred.• Planning Expertise: Solid understanding of merchandise planning, forecasting, open-to-buy, inventory management, and replenishment processes in a multi-site retail environment.• Leadership: Experience managing, coaching, or developing direct reports; ability to set priorities, provide clear direction, and hold partners accountable.• Analytical Excellence: Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and data interpretation skills with a focus on action planning.• Technical: Superior Excel skills and comfort working with planning, forecasting, inventory, and reporting systems.• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners and present insights to senior leaders.• Execution: Detail oriented, with excellent follow-through and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Pay Rate: $90,000-$95,000/year