Senior Merchandise Planner

About the Company

SCOUT is a family-owned, Washington, DC-based business started in 2004, known for affordable bags that mix both function and fashion using original, colorful patterns. It is one of the only consumer products companies headquartered here.  SCOUT sells both online and offline through a network of 1,500 specialty stores. The authenticity of a brand is best measured not only by the products, websites, and marketing, but also by the people behind the brand. Our team of bright individuals has a genuine passion for hard work and laughter. SCOUT is growing and aspires to be a national brand known as the lifelong quintessential bag source for modern women.

About the Position

SCOUT is seeking an experienced and strategic Merchandise Planner, responsible for the management of sales, margin and inventory to achieve company financial objectives incorporating retail performance and wholesale data. Reporting to the Vice President of Product Development, the ideal candidate will collaborate with finance, merchandising, distribution, production, and sales to support a strategy that aligns with future financial goals and product opportunities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Development of annual, seasonal, and monthly merchandise buys that reflect company financial and product strategies.
• Manage business results by partnering with the finance team to respond to changing sales trends, reviewing inventory productivity metrics and overall business performance at category and sku level, helping to ensure company achieves plan sales, margin and turn goals.
• Forecast and manage annual budget for cost of goods sold, inventory purchasing, material and product deposits
• Lead monthly open-to-buy and inventory alignment meetings.
• Analyze historic performance to identify areas of opportunity or risk.
• Build, maintain and update tools, reports, etc. to support the needs of the business.
• Perform ad hoc independent analysis and provide periodic reporting to drive business performance.
• Collaborate on best strategies to address product liabilities and develop action plans to liquidate in a timely and profitable manner, if necessary.  Communicate promotional activity to all business units.
• Develop knowledge of channel and category performance trends through data analysis and field communication.
• Ensure case packs align and carton dimension work with channel needs.
• Determine markdown/closeout recommendations.

What We’d Like to See in You

Required

• 4-year degree from college or university
• 5+ years of relevant experience in a planner position with a variety of distribution types
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Analytical Skills: Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data.
• Financial and Business Acumen: Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results; Proficiency in retail math.
• Relationship Management: Able to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of cross-functional partners.
• Presentation Skills: Effective in a variety of presentation settings including one-on-one and small and large groups; can present ideas and directions that lead others to action.
• Planning and Priority Setting: Demonstrate an ability to set objectives and goals and organize work appropriately to meet and exceed goals.
• Strong listening, written and oral communication skills

Preferred

• Experience with NetSuite and Tableau
• Experience with women’s fashion and accessories; bags and totes a plus
• An appreciation/familiarity of the SCOUT brand 

What You’ll Get From Us

• An opportunity to grow and evolve your career while working in a fun, and dynamic environment. Professional education enrichment is part of the package.
• Experience working with creative and motivated people. We take creative engagement very seriously.
• A team-oriented incentive plan
• 401K and Health and Vision Coverage
• Seasonal wellness credits and a seasonal credit toward SCOUT merchandise (plus a killer employee discount)
• A casual dress code in a bright and happy office environment

To Apply:

This position is available immediately.