Sr. Planning Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Planning Manager is the analytical engine behind our Wholesale business, responsible for forecasting demand, building financial plans, and driving profitable growth across both Men’s and Women’s categories.

This role will also function as the operational hub of the Wholesale business, ensuring that inventory moves efficiently from the warehouse to its destination - ideally into customers’ hands at full price.

The candidate will partner closely with Sales, Planning, Merchandising, Buying, Production, and Finance to ensure we deliver the right product, in the right quantities, at the right time — while protecting margin and minimizing inventory risk.

The ideal candidate brings strong financial acumen, a deep understanding of retail/wholesale dynamics, and the ability to translate data into actionable strategies that support account growth and company objectives. This person is the “glue” that keeps the Wholesale team aligned and operating at peak performance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and own seasonal and annual demand forecasts for the Wholesale channel across Men’s and Women’s categories.
• Build and manage top‑down and bottom‑up financial plans, including sales, margin, receipts, and inventory.
• Analyze historical trends, market performance, and account behavior to inform future projections.
• Partner with Sales to align forecasts with account strategies, growth targets, and booking trends.

Merchandise & Assortment Planning

• Support Merchandising with data‑driven insights to optimize assortments by category, door, and account.
• Identify opportunities to expand penetration, improve productivity, and rationalize underperforming styles.
• Provide SKU‑level recommendations to balance breadth, depth, and inventory efficiency.

Inventory Management

• Develop and own the OTB with input from the Sales Team.
• Monitor inventory levels to ensure healthy stock positions that support demand while minimizing liability.
• Partner with Production to align buys with forecasted needs and adjust commitments based on in‑season trends.
• Identify risks and opportunities early and recommend actionable strategies to maximize sales and margin.

Business Analysis & Reporting

• Deliver weekly, monthly, and seasonal reporting on sales performance, bookings, shipping, and profitability.
• Analyze account performance and provide insights to support negotiations, growth strategies, and market opportunities.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership in a clear, concise, and commercially focused manner.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Sales, Merchandising, Production, and Finance to ensure alignment of business goals.
• Support line planning and go‑to‑market strategies with data‑driven insights.
• Participate in market appointments and account meetings as needed.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years of merchandise planning experience in wholesale, retail, or a related consumer products environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Fashion Merchandising.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Experience with planning systems (e.g., NuOrder, JOOR, Full Circle, Blue Yonder, SAP or similar) preferred.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• An initiative-taking, solution‑oriented mindset with a passion for driving business results.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate, reliable forecasts that support profitable growth.
• Strong partnership with Sales and Merchandising that elevates account performance.
• Improved inventory efficiency and reduced liability.
• Clear, insightful reporting drives better decision‑making.
• A disciplined, data‑driven approach to planning that strengthens the Wholesale business.