• Director, Merchandise Planning

    Crate & Barrel (Northbrook, IL)


    The Director of Merchandise Planning is responsible for driving and managing merchandise and financial plans, and inventory optimization across all channels. This position drives the strategic framework supporting the forecasting of sales, promotions, markdowns, receipt flow and inventory levels. This leader identifies risks to the business and develops strategies and action plans in cooperation with merchandising and cross functional partners to mitigate those risks profitably.

     

    A day in the life as a Director, Merchandise Planning...

    + Develop, execute, and communicate pre-season and in-season financial plans, merchandise plans, and strategies to support the merchandising, marketing, and financial objectives of the business

    + Develop strategies, create a framework to lead the merchandise planning team to maximize revenue, gross margin, inventory turn goals and EBIT across stores and Ecommerce

    + Create and lead the strategy for multi-channel allocation effectiveness, as well as improvements in store performance and productivity

    + Manage item planning and forecasting for ordering, receipt flow, allocation and other cross-functional needs, including key item management and reaction to business trends and risk assessment

    + Guide the analysis of monthly open to buy and financial sales, in-season product performance reviews and monthly business reviews

    + Build and execute long-term and financially sound assortment plans and growth strategies in partnership with divisional merchandising managers

    + Liaise with marketing, stores, and eCommerce to create and execute brand wide merchandise promotional strategy to drive sales while maximizing gross margin

    + Lead cross functionally with DPMs, DMMs and Associate Director Strategic Operations to create consistency and strong operational processes across all merchandising functions to manage critical deadlines, coding, hunt paths and product lead times

    + Present executive level recommendations on business results and strategy

    + Work with cross functional leaders and business partners on process, systems, sourcing, supply chain, etc as needed to drive CBH efficiencies and effective inventory management

    + Inspire, coach, develop and manage the planning and allocation team

    What you’ll bring to the table…

    + Strong financial and planning acumen and experience in developing strategy and presenting data and analysis

    + Able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with peers, cross functional partners, and executive/senior leaders

    + Superior leadership and communication skills- to communicate high level vision to senior management as well as tactical direction to the teams.

    + Strong ability to prioritize and focus on only key initiatives to drive the business.

    + Demonstrated ability to approach opportunities with a problem-solving mindset.

    + Strong change management skills and experience

    + Ability to make final decisions that impact the effectiveness of the team

    We’d love to hear from you if you have…

    + 10+ years retail planning experience

    + 7+ years leading teams

    + Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, or equivalent experience

     

    Euromarket Designs, Inc., which does business as Crate and Barrel and CB2, will be referred to as “the Company”. The Company is deeply committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact the location you are applying to here and ask to speak with a manager regarding the nature of your request. The Company is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. The Company participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the US. State / City Compliance: The Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal history, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.