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Overview:

The **Corporate Merchandise Category Planner** develops and executes the category business plan for assigned retail categories. The Planner will drive category performance including optimization of revenue, margin, and inventory levels. The Planner will partner with Product Development to build strategies and assortment plans which align with the Company goals and partner with park retail operations teams on location planning.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with Product Developer and Park Retail Operations to develop annual merchandising strategy and business plans for assigned categories for Cedar Fair Parks and review with business partners. Set direction and establish annual timeline. Partner with the park retail teams to drive the business and deliver a compelling guest experience.

• Develops and presents strategies and business plans for assigned retail categories including revenue plans, assortment plans, margin plans, and open-to-buy budgets.

• Regularly reviews category performance, identifies areas of opportunity, and develops and implements strategic measures to improve category performance.

• Assesses item level performance, manages item replenishment to ensure appropriate inventory position, and manages SKU life cycles including markdown strategy.

• Prepares suggested markdowns for approval, executes markdown strategy, and communicates markdowns to park retail operations teams.

• Prepares weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports summarizing category business.

• Collaborates with Product Development to build Assortment Plans within assigned categories with appropriate SKU breadth.

• Communicates with Corporate and Park teams on category strategy.

• Identify and drive opportunities to scale concepts and product initiatives across the enterprise.

• Identifies and prepares promotional offerings and collaborates with IT and Park Retail Operations teams for implementation.

• Partners with Location Planning and Park Retail Operations teams to ensure assortment plans align with location planning strategies.

• Presents to Divisional Leadership including presentations on business plans, category strategy, line reviews, and assortment plans.

• Identifies opportunities for SKU harmonization and inventory distribution to ensure data integrity and volume optimization.

• Oversees preparation of purchase orders for accuracy and alignment with business plans.

Qualifications:

MINIMIUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, Supply Chain or similar discipline

• 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

PREFERED REQUIREMENTS:

• Specialty retail, mass department store, or theme park experience preferred.

TRAVEL:

Ability to travel up to 10%

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises assigned Category Planning Assistant

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Cedar Fair Entertainment Company is an equal opportunity employer. A work permit may be required for associates under the age of 18. Applicants must be legally eligible for employment in the United States and in accordance with state laws. Cedar Fair also conducts background checks on all applicants 18 years of age and older.