Planner, Associate Merchandise

Overview The Associate Merchandise Planner owns inventory planning for an assigned set of categories and brands, driving in-stocks, healthy inventory, and sales and margin across stores and channels. This role manages replenishment, forecasting, and open-to-buy (OTB) for its portfolio, and partners closely with Merchandising, Private Brand, & Commercialization to execute launches, promotions, and inventory actions.

The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, and detail oriented. They turn data into clear recommendations, communicate confidently with vendors and leadership, and are ready to grow into a Planner role.

Responsibilities Replenishment & Forecasting Own replenishment for assigned categories and brands; review and release orders and allocations daily

Build and adjust forecasts based on sales trends, promotions, newness, and channel performance.

Maintain vendor forecast files for key partners and process ad hoc orders as needed.

Open-to-Buy & Inventory Health Manage monthly OTB including receipt plans, in-season shifts, and weekly OTB vs. forecast tracking.

Monitor in-stocks, weeks of supply, turns, and aging inventory; build action plans with Merchandising partners for overstocked, underperforming, and discontinued items.

Manage open POs: adjust quantities, update ETAs, close orders, and drive vendor OTIF and past-due follow-up.

Launches, Promotions & Private Brand Plan inventory for new item launches, category refreshes, and promo events

Ensure accurate new item setup in RELEX and maintain newness trackers and buy sheets.

Support Private Brand launches, replenishment, and manage supply risk with co-manufacturers.

Reporting & Analysis Own key recurring reports, including OTB files, store in-stock reports, ladder plans, and promo performance reports.

Prepare category performance reviews and translate analysis into clear risks, opportunities, and actions for leadership.

Cross-Functional, Vendor & Field Partnership Represent Planning in vendor, commercialization, and internal meetings with updates on inventory, orders, and timelines.

Respond to store and field inventory questions Systems & Process Improvement Managing tasks in Relex such as exceptions and forecast review, allocations, and orders. Identify and drive process improvements that reduce manual work and improve planning accuracy.

Other Functions:
Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Math, Supply Chain or related discipline or, equivalent combination of intellectual instruction and work experience

Required Knowledge:
Working knowledge of OTB, forecasting, and inventory KPIs (in-stock, WOS, turns, OTIF).Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; experience with RELEX or a similar planning system strongly preferred.

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with high attention to detail.

Ability to own priorities, make decisions, and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Experience

Required:

3-5 years of inventory planning, replenishment, or merchandise planning experience in retail or e-commerce.

Skill and Ability:

Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to structure analysis independently and identify root causes for issues

Ability to multi-task with extreme attention to detail while working on multiple projects

Ability to work independently

Strong time management skills

Effective written and oral communication skills

Intuitive in nature; ability to anticipate what is coming next Highly organized

Team player

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment Equal Opportunity Policy The Vitamin Shoppe is an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the…