Merchandise Allocation Analyst

Join to apply for the Merchandise Allocation Analyst role at Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.

At Barnes & Noble Education (“BNED”) we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond.

Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education.

• Run replenishment per business rules by synthesizing large data sets to determine the optimal method (e.g., WOS vs. minimum replenishment) at the category and item levels, using demand forecasts to guide SKU and location‑specific decisions.
• Maintain store models by style, color, and size for current season items, and manage the transition of items between replenishment statuses as they move through their product lifecycle.
• Analyze class and product group performance at each store by considering sales curves and stock levels, and customize size profiles to meet each store’s unique needs.
• Evaluate seasonal and core replenishment trends to create precise size curves for merchandise planning.
• Monitor in‑stock positions for company‑defined basic items by developing detailed stock models (by style and size for each store) and regularly communicate reorder needs to the Planning and Merchandising teams.
• Develop allocation strategies that optimize inventory flow during peak periods while accounting for unique store events, space constraints, and other factors.
• Identify and escalate inventory issues promptly to management.
• Collaborate with the Merchandising and Planning teams to form store groups for test buys and analyze the resulting data.
• Communicate with stores to review, analyze, and address product requests, ensuring they maximize their business performance.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

• 3+ years of experience in a fashion retail or SKU‑intensive business preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel with the ability to quickly learn new technical applications.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills to manage multiple priorities efficiently.

Note: This is a hybrid role requiring in‑office attendance three (3) days per week at our Florham Park, NJ headquarters. Applicants must be within a commutable distance, as relocation assistance will not be provided.

We believe your success is our success, so our benefits package is designed specifically to support you in every aspect of your life. At BNED, we offer a variety of programs and resources to support the physical, mental, and financial well‑being of our employees by offering a competitive total rewards package for full‑time employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) match, life insurance, commuter benefits, paid time off with paid holidays, and a broad range of other benefits.

The hiring range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000 annually. The actual pay may vary based on a number of factors, including professional experience, hiring location, skills, competencies, and may fall outside of the range shown.

At Barnes & Noble Education we empower everyone. Our mission is to support students, faculty and schools, serving as a catalyst to meet the evolving needs of the education system and a new generation of students. That starts with fostering an environment for our employees where diversity and individuality is celebrated.

Barnes & Noble Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. In the spirit of inclusivity, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, ability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, protected veteran status, race, religion or sexual orientation.