Merchandise Planning Manager

About You

You are an exceptionally organized self-starter who can prioritize well in a high growth, hands off environment, and are able to think strategically and independently.
You are an Excel guru with a knack for numbers. You love turning a story and a plan into a spreadsheet and vice versa.
You are crazy attentive to detail and can manage a tight deadline.
You can set strategy and vision, but you are not afraid to execute at a tactical level. There is no task too small or too big for you.
You are hardworking and resourceful. You understand why data is critical to make high-level, strategic, business decisions and are passionate about providing and analyzing that data.
You’re a great team player who can communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams within a small and growing organization.
You respond positively to constructive feedback and adapt quickly to change.
You have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, seeing every challenge as an opportunity to learn.
You’re humble, hungry, and smart (in that order). You know what you’re good at while still continually striving to improve and grow in all areas.
You are motivated at least in part by a commitment to social impact in your daily work. You love fashion and keeping up with trends in the industry.
You’re not afraid to have a little fun every now and then.

Responsibilities:

Prepare sales, margin and inventory forecast and lead team in monthly open to buy forecast meetings for current year; provide sales trend opportunity for future quarters, validate stock-to-sales relationships, maximize receipt flow to improve turn, reconcile receipts and suggest pricing strategies to drive profitability.
Generate purchase orders for all products (existing and new) at the distribution channel, category, style, and SKU level.
Create and analyze weekly reports on inventory levels, including turnover and weeks of supply, in order to efficiently track and manage over 1,500 SKUs.
Provide daily and weekly updates on business as it relates to last forecast, identifying trends, and highlighting selling that exceeds or falls short of expectation.
Manage communication with marketing, creative, sales and quality control teams about upcoming production orders and product launches, as well as any other matters related to product.
Work with executive, design, and development teams to manage seasonal product line to meet brand initiatives, business objectives, and revenue targets, as well as style, SKU, and margin targets, including both the creation and discontinuation of new and existing styles.
Coordinate with international vendors to ensure on-time production and delivery against line strategy.
Maintain all product information via seasonal line plan, internal database, and product line management systems.
Analyze and contribute to discussion of sales and costing targets during product development process.
Assist in managing carryover product and aged inventory.
Additional duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications:

4-6 years of past experience working in planning, buying or merchandising.
Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree in math, economics, finance, or related discipline.
Ability to speak Spanish preferred.
Strong understanding of the fashion or social enterprise space preferred.
Previous consumer facing E-Commerce brand experience preferred.
Ability to maintain high standard of confidentiality and professionalism.

Compensation: Based on previous experience and expertise.

Timing: Estimated start date: March, 2018. Only candidates who pass through to the interview round will be contacted.

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Next Steps: If you are interested in applying for this position, please email a single PDF document containing a cover letter, answers to the below questions, and a résumé to becky@nisolo.com with the subject line “Merchandise Planning Manager [Applicant’s Name].”

What are the 3-5 keys to success for you in the role of Merchandising Planning Manager at Nisolo? How do these keys to success tie in to your strengths and experience?
What sets you apart for this position from other candidates with comparable qualifications and experience?
Develop a 12 month forecast for our Emilio Chukka Boot, complete with proposed purchase dates and quantities to meet the forecast. Assume that the Emilio launched on November 1, 2017 and the first 8 weeks of demand, in units, were: 800, 400, 325, 200, 375, 450, 400, 250. It is week 9 and we currently have 950 units of hand, and 1400 units arriving in week 14. Please communicate all other assumptions you create to complete the project.