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Associate Merchandise Planner Jobs in California

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA

$75K - $85K/yr

OVERVIEW We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Merchandise Planner to support the planning team in developing and executing merchandise strategies that drive sales and ...

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

OVERVIEW We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Merchandise Planner to support the planning team in developing and executing merchandise strategies that drive sales and ...

PacSun

Associate Merchandise Planner

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$71K/yr

Pre-season topside merchandise planning at a department/class level/style-color level, as well as ... Generous associate discount of 30 - 50% off merchandise online and in-stores * On-site Cafe * On ...

Aquent

Associate Merchandise Planner

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$40.80 - $45.33/hr

What You'll Bring * 4+ years of professional experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or retail demand planning. * Advanced proficiency in MS Office, with intermediate-to-expert ...

Saks

Associate Planner, Handbags

San Francisco, CA · On-site

They will work closely with the Planner to achieve sales and profit objectives for merchandise category/categories, working in conjunction with one or more buying teams. The Associate Planner will ...

Harbor Freight Tools

Associate Merchant

Calabasas, CA · On-site

$87K - $131K/yr

The role of the Associate Merchant is to support the Merchant team's growth initiatives by ... team and Space Planning Department in roll out of new programs. * Collaborate with product ...

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All JobsAssociate Merchandise Planner JobsAssociate Merchandise Planner Jobs in California

Associate Merchandise Planner information

See California salary details

$58.2K

$69.5K

$84.9K

How much do associate merchandise planner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate merchandise planner in California is $69,521.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,700.00 and $73,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate merchandise planner?

Associate Merchandise Planners are entry-level professionals in the retail industry responsible for assisting in the planning, forecasting, and allocation of products to maximize sales and minimize inventory costs. They analyze sales data, monitor inventory levels, and help develop strategies to ensure the right products are available at the right time and place. Working closely with buyers, merchandisers, and supply chain teams, Associate Merchandise Planners play a crucial role in supporting the merchandising process and achieving financial goals.

How does an associate merchandise planner typically collaborate with buyers and inventory teams?

An Associate Merchandise Planner works closely with buyers to analyze sales trends, forecast demand, and develop assortment plans that align with business goals. They regularly communicate with inventory teams to monitor stock levels, identify potential shortages or overages, and coordinate replenishment strategies. This collaborative approach ensures that the right products are available at the right time, helping to maximize sales and minimize excess inventory. Effective teamwork and strong communication skills are essential in this role, as decisions often require input from multiple departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate merchandise planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Merchandise Planner, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, retail planning software (such as Oracle or JDA), and data analysis tools is typically required. Effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for making informed inventory decisions, optimizing sales, and supporting the overall merchandising strategy.

What is the difference between Associate Merchandise Planner vs Merchandise Planner?

AspectAssociate Merchandise PlannerMerchandise Planner
ResponsibilitiesSupports merchandise planning, assists with inventory management, data analysisDevelops sales forecasts, manages inventory levels, creates merchandise plans
Required SkillsData analysis, basic forecasting, communication skillsAdvanced forecasting, strategic planning, analytical skills
ExperienceEntry-level or 1-2 years in retail or merchandising3+ years in merchandising or planning roles
Work EnvironmentRetail companies, fashion brands, department storesRetail chains, apparel companies, department stores

The main difference between an Associate Merchandise Planner and a Merchandise Planner lies in experience and scope. An Associate Merchandise Planner typically supports planning activities and handles more routine tasks, while a Merchandise Planner manages comprehensive forecasting and strategic inventory decisions. Both roles are essential in retail, with the Associate position serving as an entry point for those developing their planning careers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Merchandise Planner jobs in California?

The most popular types of Merchandise Planner jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Merchandise Planner jobs in California?

For Associate Merchandise Planner jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Merchandise Planner jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Merchandise Planner jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Merchandise Planner jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Merchandise Planner job openings:

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For Associate Merchandise Planner jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Associate Merchandise Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Merchandise Planner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $69,521 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Associate Merchandise Planner

LULUS FASHION LOUNGE LLC

Los Angeles, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

The Associate Merchandise Planner is responsible for pre- and in-season planning of sales and inventory. This includes planning inventory to hit target in-stock levels while minimizing overstocks, tracking & reporting results to management and working closely with cross-functional teams to maximize the business. They are also expected to use analytics to solve complex problems.

Schedule: This is a Hybrid role working out of our LA Office 3 days a week (Tues-Thurs). 

What You’ll Do

  • Take a leading role in managing inventory and work toward creating a collaborative, innovative and results-oriented environment with cross-functional teams.

  • Balance workload priorities across in-season and pre-season planning deliverables to ensure successful execution of inventory management (including buy planning, pre-season forecasting and bi-weekly re-forecasting).

  • Reconcile top-down & bottoms-up department plans to division plans and forecasts.

  • Analyze pre-season plan and merchandising strategies for significant changes against last year.

  • Conduct weekly sales analysis and recommend products that need to be taken to markdown.

  • Create category level quarterly hindsight reports to drive strategic assortment decisions for future quarters and in-season management.

  • Own and drive the OTB actualization process monthly.

  • Identify and communicate tool and process improvement opportunities to the Manager of Merchandise Planning.

  • Provide support to leadership on special projects as needed.

  • Conduct ad-hoc analysis and reporting as needed.

What You’ll Need

  • 2+ years of retail apparel planning, allocation, or analytical experience.

  • Strong Microsoft Excel skills.

  • Strong analytical skills and ability to understand financial metrics and reporting.

  • Detail oriented.

  • Ability to problem solve and make effective decisions.

  • Cultivate strong working relationships across multiple cross-functional partners to ensure business success.

  • Demonstrate an ability to set objectives and goals and organize work appropriately to meet and exceed his/her goals.

  • Anticipate risks and identify contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occur.

  • Demonstrate strong listening, written and oral communication skills.

Nice to Have - Bonus Points!

  • Bachelor’s degree required (in Business or Finance preferred).

We’re ready to meet you! Come help us achieve our ambitious goals!

At Lulus, we believe our people are our greatest asset and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we can attract and retain the best talent. Our job postings include an annual base salary range for the role. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include an annual bonus and other benefit programs.

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