Planning Manager

General Summary

Own/manage multiple processes within the Merchandise Planning group. Develop/manage business plans that are in alignment with company strategies that also incorporate contingency plans that allow for anticipation of obstacles. Establish/execute group work goals that are results oriented yet allow creativity and vision.

Merchandise Planning Managers are responsible for providing direction, management, training, and guidance to Merchandise Planners. Provide the analytical and process oriented skill set to compliment the Merchandise Managers product/assortment knowledge and cooperatively manage the category. Merchandise Planning Managers serve as subject matter experts on all issues pertaining to the planning function within Family Dollar. Working with the senior management team, Merchandise Planning Managers ensure that the planning process is executed consistently and in accordance with the company’s goals and objectives.

• Inspire the team to share in the company/category vision/goals
• Model the way/behavior that you expect from others through clear guiding principles
• Challenge the process by searching for opportunities to grow, improve and innovate
• Foster collaboration and trust through enabling others
• Create a culture of recognition and celebration of other contributions
• Responsible for all activities and deliverables
• Administer team members training, performance reviews
• Assist in the recruiting and retaining talent
• Manage and review 18-month category and class season financial plans at the month and week level by: (a) analyzing historical, seasonal and current trends, (b) reviewing inputs from the category management process, (c) reviewing corporate inputs and goals, and (d) collaborating with other members of the team
• Conduct and review ad hoc and standard analysis about respective categories and identify opportunities and risks relative to sales, margin, and inventory productivity; develop action plans to address issues
• Review the historical information provided to Buyers, as well as financial targets for the assortment planning process. Managers ensure that Buyers are provided with an objective perspective on the conceptual assortment using historical data.
• Manage and review the entire markdown process, including collaboration between the Planners, Buyers and Pricing Analysts to ensure that markdowns fit within the financial plan and recommend markdown strategies to limit liabilities
• Effectively communicate and collaborate at a high level with Senior Management, Buyers, Replenishment Buyers, and Allocators
• Proactively manage to ensure planners measure financial plans as part of the business rhythm process at a class season level , which includes: a) analyzing historical and future trends, b) updating financial projections, c) attending standing weekly meetings with the Buyers, Allocators, and Replenishment Buyers, d) producing a prospective exception deck of reports related to the sales, margin and inventory productivity opportunities or gaps, and e) documenting specific action items to achieve or exceed the merchandising plans
• Manage the open to buy (OTB) process as part of the business rhythm process, which includes ensuring that the purchase decisions are consistent with the inventory and purchase markup (PMU) plans monthly
• Review “what if” reports (as part of the OTB and order management processes) to ensure that any fashion/promotional/basic force outs or other off shelf purchases are consistent with the financial plans (primarily sales, inventory and PMU)
• Partner with Divisional Merchandise Managers to review historical information, evaluate input from store operations, and assess current business trends to develop financial forecasts for ads and promotions. Manage aggregate specific promotional/ad purchases with respect to sales, margin, inventory productivity and appropriate exit strategies and ensure they are consistent with financial plans
• The Planning Manager attends Line of Business meetings to discuss issues and action plans, propose solutions and make decisions that align with corporate goals and initiatives.
• Other job-related duties as assigned

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