Category Planner

Category Planner

• Department: Supply Chain
• Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
• Location: Vancouver
• Reporting To: Eily Donnelly
• Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000 / year

Description

Hi there, we’re Article. 👋  Since 2013, we have been redefining the furniture industry one sofa at a time, it’s not easy — it requires solving challenging, meaningful problems. This is where you come in. As a Category Planner (sometimes otherwise known as a Merchandise Planner or Planner), you'll be responsible for managing the entire planning cycle for assigned categories and ensuring accurate demand forecasts, optimal inventory levels, and effective Open-to-Buy (OTB) execution. 
Why We Need You:
In our Supply Chain Planning team, this role is essential to driving category growth through data-informed demand forecasting and strategic inventory management. This fits into our larger need to optimize supply chain efficiency and align inventory investments with financial and merchandising strategies—ensuring we meet customer demand while protecting profitability. This role thrives on cross-functional collaboration — you’ll work closely with teams across the organization and regularly engage with senior leadership.
Why Article?
As a Particle (people of Article), you will have a high level of autonomy to solve challenging, meaningful problems the best way you can. That means you’re trusted to explore solutions you believe will work best (you’re the expert, after all). You’ll do all this while growing your skills within a company that is redefining the furniture industry. 
How the team works:

We are a hybrid team coming into the office 3 days a week. The days are of your choosing. 

The supply chain planning team currently has around 17 members and is growing. As a Category Planner, you will report to the Manager, Category Planning. We are also a very collaborative team that works closely together in tackling issues and implementing solutions to relentlessly pursue remarkably better!

What You'Ll Do:

Forecasting & Planning

• Build and maintain accurate demand forecasts that support category growth and financial goals.
• Refine forecasts by analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and business performance.

Inventory & Financial Management

• Own Open-to-Buy (OTB) execution to ensure inventory investments align with merchandising and financial strategies.
• Manage inventory levels to balance stock availability with financial targets — minimizing both overstock and stockouts.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor and report on key metrics such as forecast accuracy, sell-through, and inventory health.
• Provide actionable insights to drive category performance and inform decision-making.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Process Improvement

• Collaborate with Sourcing and Order Management teams to align on vendor capacity and production planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve and automate planning processes for greater efficiency.

Who You Are:

• 3+ years' experience in category planning, demand planning, or merchandising.
• Previous experience in merchandise planning, ideally in a retail environment. 
• Familiarity with OTB (Open to Buy) principles — you may not have owned it yet, but you understand the fundamentals and are eager to learn. 
• Experience using planning tools or ERP systems to manage replenishment and seasonal allocations. 
• Proven capability in building accurate sales and inventory forecasts that support business growth and inventory health — whether through direct ownership or as a key contributor. 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies. 
• Proficiency with supply chain planning tools such as SAP IBP, Blue Yonder (JDA), John Galt, Anaplan, or Tableau. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field. 
• Effective communication skills to convey forecasts and collaborate with various teams, including sales, marketing, category management, finance, and supply chain. 
• Confidence in making decisions based on analysis and data interpretation. 
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets. 
• A team player attitude, also capable of working independently. 
• Ability to influence others to get the results needed to move a project forward. 
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet deadlines. 
• Legally able to work in Canada. 
• Completion of a criminal background check.

Perks & Benefits:

Wealth: 

• The salary range is $75,000 to $90,000. The starting salary will be determined by your transferable skills, knowledge, work experience, and the hiring team’s budget, which is based on business needs, market compensation data, and internal equity
• 4% RRSP matched contributions through Wealthsimple 

Life:

• 15 days of vacation
• 6 well-being (sick) days 
• 1 Inclusion and Diversity Day
• Hybrid work: 3 days a week in the office
• Work remotely (anywhere in the world) for up to 3 weeks

Total Health:

• Excellent extended health and dental benefits packages
• $1000 health/lifestyle spending account* for your total physical and mental well-being
• TELUS Health App
• Mental Health Assistance/Counseling 
• Virtual medical appointments 

Office Space:

• The Article HQ is a converted warehouse, with an open accessible layout and no offices (even for our founders)
• Work from your desk, an Article sofa, collaboration spaces, or a private meeting room
• Our kitchens are stocked with salty, sweet and healthy snacks, & all the premium coffees and teas to keep you buzzing 
• Onsite fitness equipment with showers and towel service
• A dog-friendly office - well-socialized pups are welcome
• Standup desks can be requested too

Getting here:

• Free street parking (first come, first serve; no reserved spots for senior leaders)
• Indoor secure bike storage with change rooms and showers
• 20-minute walk to either Main Street- Science World or VCC Clark Skytrain stations 

Extra:

• 45% discount on our entire product range (15% for friends and family)

*Prorated