Associate Planner

The Associate Planner position serves as planning support for specific product categories. This role is responsible for supporting the creation of channel level sales and receipt plans and forecasting KPI’s. The Associate planner is responsible for analyzing data, correlating historical and current trends to support forward reforecasting, supporting the planning team through regular analysis and review of risks and opportunities. This position supports the planning team by working concurrently across multiple seasons to optimize inventory and sales to achieve financial results.

Category Support: 
· Support the creation business plans on the category/department/division level by month in accordance with corporate goals 
· Support and manage OTB based on timely and accurate forecasts 
· Drive category performance across all key KPIs inclusive of sales, receipts, and gross margin 
· Accurately prepare quantities for core SKU’s in line with forecast sales, considering OTB, margin. 
· Produce markdown reporting in conjunction with the Assortment Planning Tool (sku counts, aged), forecasting costs, and confidently providing lessons learnt, presenting proposals and addressing challenges 
Business Analysis: 
· Prepare, update, and distribute key daily/weekly reports 
· Review and analyze data to help inform recommendations and reforecasting
· Analyze performance down to an item level on a weekly basis to optimize assortment, pricing strategies and inventory management 
· Prepare and analyze hindsight documents to measure past performance inform future season plans and buys. 
· Support the merchandising team with pricing and promotions based on weekly analysis against plans and forecasts.
· Support merchandising team in pulling analysis to support key assortment and investment strategies.
Strategic Partnership: 
· Collaborate and partner with Merchandising to formulate pre-season sales/GM/Inventory flow goals that tie to the topline benchmark metric and reflect learnings from hindsight process. · Partner with Merchandising to build assortment strategies that tie to topline metrics. 
· Support Merchants in presenting pre-season financials and strategies to upper management. 
Cross Functional Expertise: 
· Manage effective cross-functional relationships to drive business through recommendations on pricing/promotion and inventory allocation/management. 
· Provide direct support to the Planning Manager and Merchandising team on all planning functions and initiatives. 
· Own becoming proficient in Arthur planning system for usage on team; work with the Planning Manager & Planner on other new tools for the team, acting as a point-person for the tools. 
· Responsible for arranging and conducting Store Visits.

Education:

Bachelor’S Degree

Essential Criteria & Skills:

• Minimum 1 year of merchandising, retail buying, planning experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment
• Analytical with ability to synthesize data and draw conclusions and recommendations
• Understanding of retail math skills and merchandise planning
• Strong organizational, planning, and written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in a team
• Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment
• Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple deliverables
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel), PowerBI COMPETENCIES
• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Takes ownership and responsibility to achieve business results. Effectively prioritizes daily assignments and plans to work accordingly. Consistently meets deadlines and expectations.
• LEARNING ORIENTED: Actively develops self and/or others using internal/external methods for growth. Pushes self by setting challenging goals to continuously improve.
• ENERGIZE OTHERS: Proactively motivates and inspires others and positively challenges others to be their best. Works collaboratively with other team members. Seeks opportunity to bring positive energy into the workplace. · CHAMPION OF CHANGE: Embraces new ways of working, has continuous improvement mindset, and inspires others.

Compensation Range: $59,670.00 - $79,560.00

Claire’s is committed to adhering to all applicable company policies and federal, state, and local laws and regulations. All positions will be compensated at or above the legally mandated minimum wage for the location in which work is performed. The final compensation will be determined by various factors such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.

Benefits for full-time employees included medical, dental, and vision insurance, voluntary welfare plans, bonus plan eligibility, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave.

Benefits for part-time employees included voluntary welfare plans, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave in required states.

*Sick Time: For the State of Washington, all employees will accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.

Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. To request accommodation, please email Benefits@claires.com. Only messages sent for this purpose will be considered.