Merchandise Planner

Emerging Blue, Inc.

New York, NY

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$90,000–$100,000 Per Year

SKILLS

Analysis Skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Brand Strategy, Budgeting, Business Intelligence Software, Channel Inventory, Communication Skills, Competitive Research, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Customer/Client Research, Detail Oriented, Finance, Forecasting, Inventory Management, Leadership, Logistics, Market Trend Analysis, Marketing, Merchandising, Multitasking, NetSuite, Order Management, Order/Customer Fulfillment, Partner Sales, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Pivot Tables, Procurement Planning, Product Development, Profit & Loss, Promotional Programs, Promotional Strategy, Reporting Dashboards, Reporting Skills, Retail, Revenue Growth, Revenue/Sales Reporting, Sales, Sales Analysis, Sales Operations, Sales Presentation, Sales Strategy, Supply Chain, Time Management, Trend Analysis, Warehouse Coordination, Wholesale Industry

LOCATION

New York, NY

POSTED

26 days ago

We are searching for a Merchandise Planner for our apparel client. The Merchandise Planner is a key member of the planning, merchandising and sales organization, responsible for developing and executing seasonal buying strategies, managing open-to-buy and pre-season budgets, and identifying opportunities for optimizing inventory across channels. This role bridges buying, merchandising, and analytics — ensuring the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities to drive sell-through and profitability.

Responsibilities

Buying & Assortment Planning

Develop and execute seasonal buying plans built from bottoms-up rollups, aligned with brand strategy and sales targets
Manage open-to-buy (OTB) budgets across categories to maximize sell-through and minimize excess inventory
Partner with sales, design, and brand teams to curate an assortment that reflect customer profiles and market trends
Identify and pursue opportunities for in-season buys, replenishments, and discount strategies

Merchandising

Analyze sales performance, margin, and sell-through data to inform assortment decisions and future planning
Collaborate with sales to develop compelling product presentations and line sheets for wholesale accounts
Monitor competitive landscape and retail trends to ensure the assortment remains market-relevant
Support the development of markdown and promotional strategies to clear slow-moving inventory
Coordinate product availability timelines with sales to align on delivery windows and launch calendars

Inventory Management

Develop and manage replenishment strategies for core and continuity programs
Coordinate with warehouse, logistics, and operations teams to ensure accurate inventory tracking and timely order fulfillment
Manage transfer order creation and inventory receipt reconciliation in NetSuite, serving as the internal point of accountability for system accuracy across the supply chain

Reporting & Analytics

Build and maintain weekly, monthly, and seasonal reporting on sell-through, revenue, OTB, and account performance
Present data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional partners
Develop forecasts and scenario plans to support buying decisions and financial target-setting
Track KPIs against plan and communicate variances with clear action plans
Leverage AI and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Claude) to create scalable reporting frameworks

What Success Looks Like

Timely and trusted reporting for cross-functional partners who rely on your dashboards and recaps to make decisions
Clear and proactive communication with cross-functional partners ensuring all teams are aligned on risks, opportunities, and execution priorities
Forecasts are accurate and inventory receipts align closely with demand, reducing costly surprises
Buying decisions are data-driven — assortment choices are backed by clear sell-through, margin, and trend analysis
Cross-functional partners want to work with you — sales, ops, and finance see you as a strategic asset, not just a numbers person

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field
3+ years of experience in wholesale planning, merchandise planning or a related retail planning role
NetSuite experience along with wholesale order management platforms (e.g., NuOrder)
Experience managing open-to-buy budgets and working within structured planning cycles
Strong understanding of in-season inventory management, including sell-through, weeks of supply, and inventory flow
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, basic modeling); experience with planning or BI tools a plus
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with Planning, Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Production teams
Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn and take ownership

Salary Range $90-100K

Merchandise Planner

Emerging Blue, Inc.

New York, NY

About the Company

Emerging Blue, Inc.

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