Associate Director, Merchandise Planning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee the Inventory Planning function and team, reporting directly to the Senior Director of Merchandising.

• Take ownership of sales and inventory forecasts across all categories and functions, ensuring precision, timeliness, achievement of inventory plans, and performance against KPIs.

• Develop the inventory strategy for fine jewelry assortments, which includes diamonds, gemstones, and precious metal commodities.

• Define weeks of supply, safety stock, and reorder-point parameters to maintain service levels while enhancing inventory productivity.

• Direct inventory planning for new showroom launches and growth initiatives through scenario modeling and statistical analysis.

• Manage and refine the open-to-buy alignment and consensus process in collaboration with Merchandising and Finance.

• Provide the inventory perspective for annual bookings, ASP, and margin budget setting while reporting against inventory KPIs.

• Create and lead the Inventory Planning roadmap, prioritizing projects and managing timelines to ensure successful adoption.

• Collaborate with Technology on the implementation and maintenance of planning systems, while driving the adoption of demand-planning and reporting tools.

• Modify planning tools and models to meet the needs of evolving enterprise systems, identify gaps, create workarounds, and implement sustainable solutions.

• Leverage AI tools to automate recurring analyses and reports, and implement AI-enabled planning workflows.

• Oversee, guide, and develop the planning team through recruitment, feedback, and clear goal-setting.

• Coach Merchandising partners on forecasting and inventory principles, representing Planning to executive leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, forecasting, or quantitative analysis within retail, product, or e-commerce, with a proven record of leading and developing teams.

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field; an advanced degree or relevant certification is advantageous.

• Strong experience in attribute-based or commodity inventory planning is a significant asset.

• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, financial modeling, and large dataset management.

• Proficiency in retail mathematics.

• Practical experience with demand-planning software such as Blue Yonder, Logility, Demantra, o9, MI9, or similar platforms.

• Familiarity with reporting/BI tools like Domo, Tableau, or Power BI; experience with NetSuite or similar ERP systems is a plus.

• Proven ability to lead end-to-end system implementations and cross-functional programs.

• Experience with forecasting tools, report automation, and process redesign.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted tools such as Claude, Excel Copilot, BI-native AI features, or Snowflake Intelligence.

• Knowledge of prompt engineering and connecting AI tools to live data sources such as data warehouses or ERPs is highly desired.

• Capacity to navigate an evolving systems environment and transform workarounds into enduring processes.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present clearly, directly, and succinctly to teams and executives.

• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated mindset; critical thinking and adaptability in a dynamic environment.

• Commitment to fostering respect and inclusion in the workplace.

• Passion for socially and environmentally responsible organizations and products.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunities for career advancement through regular one-on-one meetings, training programs, and an annual 360 review process.

• Lifestyle Spending Account offering reimbursements for qualifying wellness expenses, such as gym memberships, massages, counseling, and more.

• Company-sponsored learning in leadership, professional skills, diversity & inclusion, along with tuition reimbursement for role-specific training.

• Employee discounts on jewelry purchases.

• Access to mental health resources, self-care applications, seminars, and 24/7 Employee Assistance counseling services.

• Opportunities to give back and engage in volunteer activities.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including a $0 monthly premium option for employee health insurance and employer contributions to HSA.

• 401k matching program.

• Paid Time Off for personal and sick leave.

• Paid parental leave policy.

• 100% employer-funded disability and life insurance.

• Pre-tax commuter benefits.