Category Planning Manager

YOUR ROLE

The Category Planning Manager (CPM) will develop and communicate strategic style-level plans to maximize sales, optimize inventory and increase margin. They will use historical sales trends, current in-season selling to build their plans along with collaboration with key cross-functional partners. The CPM will own pre-season purchasing and in-season inventory management for their categories.

The Category Planning Manager reports to the Director of Inventory Planning.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and drives pre-season, item-level sales and inventory plans that align with historical performance, merchandising strategies and financial targets.
• Re-Forecast item level plans in season and perform ad hoc analysis to identify inventory risks or opportunities. Ensure alignment with tops-down, monthly forecast and channel level goals
• Recap and analyze monthly actuals to plan and LY. Present key takeaways and recommended action plans monthly to cross-functional team
• Prepare the deck and present category strategies in OTB meetings
• Partner with Product on the line creation and provide analytics as needed to ensure seasonal line will hit financial and KPI targets
• Build and execute style, color, size purchasing for categories to support all channels
• Develop pricing and markdown strategies to maximize sales and margin, while meeting sell through targets. Partner with Inventory Planner to execute
• Manage inventory availability across sales channels for their categories. Coordinate with marketing and channel owners for inventory optimization
• Maintain SKU Master including new SKU creation and lifecycle management
• Look for ways to continuously improve current processes, tools and meetings
• Actively partner cross functionally to drive shared business goals and key outcomes
• Commitment to our company Mission, Vision, and Values

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, engineering, economics, operations management, or equivalent.
• 4+ years of experience in planning, finance, or supply chain analysis
• Possess a clear understanding of financial measurements including sales, gross margin, return rate, months on hand, sell through, turn rate, and how to positively impact these metrics
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations and processes.
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced Excel (pivot tables, charts, logical functions (sumif, vlookup, etc.)
• Experience with planning software is required; Toolio preferred
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with curiosity to continually drive for results and process improvement.
• Must be dependable, team player, organized, self-motivated and detail oriented.
• High energy and results oriented. Looking to make improvements and change.
• Willingness and ability to take on a wide array of ad-hoc reporting and analysis requests.
• Proven ability to prioritize and focus to deliver timely work.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.

THE FINE PRINT

• Must be able to work in a stationary position 75% of the work day
• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Company Paid Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 401k with Match
• Generous paid time off policies
• Gear test, perks and more

We provide competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives and benefits. The base salary range for this role is $70,000-$85,000. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of the range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors including experience, skills, and qualifications.

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, we reserve the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed. Stio is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals, including minorities, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans & individuals with disabilities.