Merchandise Planner - Hardware

Fuel Our Future with the Power of Planning

Are you a numbers-savvy, detail-oriented problem solver who enjoys turning data into action? Fleet Farm is looking for a Merchandise Planner – Hardware to help ensure we have the right products, in the right quantities, at the right locations, at the right time.

In this highly collaborative role, you'll develop and adjust demand forecasts, analyze sales and inventory trends, and identify opportunities and risks across our Hardware business. You'll work closely with Merchandising, Inventory Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, and vendor partners to develop planning strategies that support seasonal demand, promotional activity, product launches, and overall business growth.

Your insights will directly influence inventory decisions, forecast accuracy, product availability, and the customer experience. If you enjoy connecting data to business strategy, solving problems, and seeing the impact of your work, we'd love to hear from you.

• Build and maintain short- and long-term demand forecasts across Hardware products and store locations using sales history, inventory trends, seasonality, promotions, and market signals.
• Analyze sales, inventory, and forecast data to identify risks and opportunities, including potential out-of-stocks, excess inventory, and changes in customer demand.
• Incorporate promotional calendars, seasonal events, product launches, and phase-outs into demand plans to anticipate changes in customer demand and inventory needs.
• Monitor forecast performance and key planning metrics, identifying trends and recommending adjustments to improve forecast accuracy, inventory productivity, and product availability.
• Partner closely with Category Managers, Inventory Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, and vendor partners to align merchandise plans and inventory strategies with business objectives.
• Use financial, operational, and market analysis to develop clear recommendations and support informed business decisions.
• Proactively adjust forecasts and planning recommendations when demand, supply, promotional activity, or market conditions change.
• Support planning strategies for new product introductions, seasonal transitions, assortment changes, and product phase-outs.
• Monitor market and customer trends to identify emerging opportunities and potential impacts to Hardware categories.
• Identify and communicate inventory risks, opportunities, and potential gaps to appropriate business partners.
• Partner with internal teams and vendors to resolve forecast, inventory, and data discrepancies and maintain alignment on planning expectations.
• Manage planning calendars, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure forecasts and recommendations are accurate and completed on time.
• Maintain accurate planning data and documentation while identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, improve planning processes, and reduce manual effort.
• Communicate planning insights, risks, and recommendations clearly and consistently across the organization.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and help create alignment when business priorities or perspectives differ.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in retail planning, demand forecasting, merchandise planning, inventory management, supply chain, or a related analytical role preferred.
• Strong understanding of demand forecasting, inventory planning, seasonality, promotional impacts, and retail business drivers.
• Experience using forecasting, planning, ERP, or inventory management systems such as JDA, Oracle, SAP/APO, or similar platforms.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to analyze large amounts of data and identify meaningful trends.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations and actionable business decisions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across Merchandising, Inventory, Marketing, Supply Chain, and vendor partners.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and…