The Merchandise Planner will strategize with Company Planning, Allocation and Merchandising partners to ensure that the financial goals are achieved and will attain buy-in from the Manager and VP of Planning as well as partners on the Merchandising leadership team. Drives all omni-channel merchandise planning activities, including the development of financial sales, gross margin, and inventory plans for their dept(s). What We Offer: • Growth! Here at Talbots our goal is to give you the opportunities to grow with us. Our Performance Feedback Program allows for healthy career conversations and goal setting throughout the year. • Condensed Work Week! If we have no work obligations and have fulfilled our 40-hour week, our Life-Work balance approach allows for us to start our weekend at 1pm on Fridays. • Complete Benefit Package! Our benefits kick off the first day of the month after your start date! Discover more about our full benefits package here. We have competitive time off, including paid time to volunteer within the community. • Merchandise Discounts! Our associates receive 50% off Talbots and select Haven Well Within brand items. Additionally, you may also be eligible for discounts at the brands across KnitWell Group. What You’ll Do: • Responsible for OTB re-forecasting at a weekly level to reflect trends, alignment with company direction, and solutions for risks and opportunities. • Expert in both pre-season and in-season on product mix performance for sales and inventory at the dept, class, and style/color level. • Proactively identify issues and opportunities within product mix and use analytics and creative problem solving to drive profitable solutions. • Actively recommend markdown liquidation strategies to maximize omni-channel profitability. • Ensure alignment of top/down and bottoms/up style/color plans with merchandising strategies and financial targets. • Partner with (CFT) Cross Functional Teams to maximize omni profitability. Who You Are: • Bachelor’s Degree Required. • 5-7+ years of experience in planning which includes knowledge of buying and allocation. • Planning system experience required: JDA, Oracle, SAP preferred. • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel required. • Stores and/or direct experience required, omni preferred. • Functional understanding of retail/vertical business process. • Able to solve complex problems, drive resolution with the CFT, present clear ideas and direction to others. • Demonstrate strong communication skills as well as attention to detail. • Experience with or a strong ability to learn reporting/data warehousing tools preferred.