Vice-President of Merchandise Planning

  • Full-time
  • Department: Planning and Allocation

Job Description

The Vice-President of Merchandise Planning contributes to rue21’s results by leading the financial planning strategy and execution for stores and ecommerce. You’ll align with merchant leadership to provide guidance for Open to Buy (OTB), KPIs, and adjustments to best meet the needs of rue21’s growing business. This position reports to the Senior Vice-President of Planning and Allocation. 

·         Commits to supporting rue21’s inclusive environment and sets an example for their team and sphere of influence.

·         Align with SVP of Planning & Allocation to ensure financial plans support national, localized and online assortments with appropriate receipt and inventory levels.

·         In partnership with Buying, Allocation and Field, build brand-right strategy focusing on emerging customer needs, leveraging business trends, demographics, climate, customer data, assortment analytics and field input.

·         Drive collaboration with business partners to identify needs and develop scalable solutions.

·         Partner with merchandising to ensure smart risks are being taken, basic businesses are protected, and financial targets are met.

·         Maximize sales, margin, and turn through proper planning and execution of merchandise placement by channel.

·         Establish KPIs and deploy data to ensure shared understanding of successes and opportunities.

·         Collaborate with Data team to identify standardized reporting needs and participate in their creation.

·         Build high level strategy and plan that supports a curated on-trend assortment.  

·         Lead the merchandise planning team in the development of pre-season financial plans and management of in-season projections.

·         Identify short and long-term strategies, develop plans to identify best path forward to drive results.

·         Provide corporate planning guidance for top line planning; manage communication to respective leaders.

·         Present strategies and results to senior leadership.

·         Prioritize talent development and formulate succession planning.

Qualifications

·         You have a coaching leadership style with the ability to inspire growth and development.

·         Great teammate. You know how to work with and influence those around you, and you don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and help when others need it.

·         Executive-level presentation skills and ability to handle high-level business partner interactions.

·         Efficient organization, prioritization, and time management skills.

·         Demonstrated partnership and relationship skills.

·         Ability to influence others using data and recommendations.

·         Demonstrated leadership presence and maturity.

·         10+ years of merchandise planning experience inclusive of OTB ownership in a specialty retail environment.

·         5+ years of managing high performing teams.

·         MBA or other relevant graduate-level degree preferred.

·         Strong understanding of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, and Teams specifically).

·         Familiarity with MicroStrategy and Cognos.

·         Retail industry experience required.

Please be aware that the Company requires all employees  who are required to travel for work regularly or sporadically to be vaccinated for COVID-19.  This position will require the successful candidate to show proof that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and will provide reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.

Additional Information

WE OFFER

  • 401k
  • Competitive Benefits Package
  • Flex Time
  • Over 3 Weeks PTO After 1 Year
  • Casual Dress Code
  • Merchandise Discount
  • Great Work Culture
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