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Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation Jobs

Merchandise Planner

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

... planning across a wide array of vendor (direct and external), customer, and merchandising segments. Influences inventory levels and allocation strategies to stay in line with the turn and inventory ...

You'll partner closely with Merchandising, Allocation, and senior leadership to shape the financial ... This role requires a strong balance of analytical acumen, strategic thinking, and leadership ...

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Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation information

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$53.5K

$122.2K

$189K

How much do director of merchandise planning allocation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of merchandise planning allocation in the United States is $122,204.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of merchandise planning allocation do?

A Director of Merchandise Planning Allocation oversees the strategic planning, purchasing, and distribution of products within a retail organization. They analyze sales data, market trends, and inventory levels to ensure the right products are available at the right locations and times. Their role involves collaborating with buying, marketing, and store teams to maximize sales and profitability while minimizing excess inventory. By developing and implementing effective allocation strategies, they help optimize stock levels, improve customer satisfaction, and drive overall business success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of merchandise planning allocation?

To excel as a Director of Merchandise Planning Allocation, you need deep expertise in merchandising strategy, inventory management, financial analysis, and typically a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with merchandising planning software (such as Oracle Retail, JDA, or SAP), advanced Excel skills, and experience with ERP systems are highly valued. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating across departments. These competencies ensure optimal inventory levels, maximize profitability, and align merchandise strategies with overall business goals.

How does a director of merchandise planning allocation typically collaborate with buying and inventory teams to maximize profitability?

A Director of Merchandise Planning Allocation works closely with buying teams to analyze sales trends, forecast demand, and develop assortment strategies that align with company goals. They also partner with inventory and supply chain teams to ensure optimal stock levels, timely replenishment, and efficient allocation across channels or locations. Regular cross-department meetings and data-driven decision-making are key to balancing inventory investment with sales opportunities, ultimately maximizing profitability while minimizing markdowns and stockouts.

What is the difference between Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation vs Merchandise Planner?

AspectDirector Of Merchandise Planning AllocationMerchandise Planner
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall merchandise allocation strategies, manages teams, and aligns inventory with business goals.Focuses on analyzing sales data, forecasting demand, and executing merchandise plans at a tactical level.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Business, Retail, or related field; extensive experience in merchandise planning.Bachelor's degree; experience in retail or merchandise planning preferred.
Work EnvironmentCorporate office, leadership meetings, cross-department collaboration.Office-based, working closely with buying and inventory teams.

The main difference is that the Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation leads strategic planning and team management, while a Merchandise Planner handles detailed forecasting and execution. Both roles require retail industry experience, but the director position involves higher-level oversight and decision-making.

What cities are hiring for Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation jobs?

Cities with the most Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation jobs?

For Director Of Merchandise Planning Allocation jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Merchandise Planning Manager

Needham Heights, MA • On-site

clarks
Apparel and Accessories Stores • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Manager, Merchandise Planning

This role will be accountable for driving profitable sales for the region, managing sales and inventory activities by setting SKU sales targets, maintaining a bottoms-up open-to-buy plan, monitoring inventory aging and quality, and providing stock productivity analysis. The ideal candidate blends strong analytical capability with a commercial mindset and collaborative communication skills.

What You'll Do

  • Develop seasonal financial plans by class, department, and channel, including sales, units, margin, and inventory.
  • Build and maintain itemlevel or classlevel forecasts based on historical performance, trends, and merchant strategy.
  • Translate business strategy into monthly and weekly sales plans.
  • Own inventory flow, weeks of supply, and receipt plans to support sales while minimizing markdown risk.
  • Partner with Allocation/Replenishment to optimize initial buys and ongoing replenishment.
  • Identify risks and opportunities related to overstock, shortages, or flow disruptions.
  • Manage the markdown in season and closeout/end-of-life process.
  • Produce style count and SKU productivity targets to govern the region's range selection activity. Monitor performance against these targets and make recommendations to the Merchant team to improve results.
  • Partner with Merchants/Buyers to align assortments and buy quantities with financial goals.
  • Work with Finance on forecasts, reprojections, and inventory investments.
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain and Allocation to ensure receipts and store/channel flow align with demand.
  • Analyze sellthrough, productivity, aged inventory, and margin drivers.
  • Provide postmortem analysis to inform future seasons.
  • Work cross-functionally with other departments within the organization to optimize buy targets, SKU optimization, and time-phased category plans.
  • Monitor OTB flow for the current buying season and an extended 18- month strategic open-to-buy plan for future product seasons.
  • Manage in-season inventory activities, forecasting to a roll-forward projection and making adjustments based on the agreed-upon top-down plan. 

What You'll Bring

  • Experience in footwear retail merchandise planning, buying, demand, and supply planning
  • Knowledge of different business operating models
  • Successful Retail Merchandise, Buying, Demand and Supply Planning experience
  • Experience in key distribution channels – wholesale, retail, and digital
  • Ability to analyze trends and use that information to plan and forecast effectively
  • Strong analytical and verbal skills
  • Strong computer skills, including the following tools:
    • Data warehouse/data mart query and report development tools
    • Advanced Microsoft Excel (if statements, linking, pivot tables, etc.)
    • Planning Software (MID, Blue Yonder, NSB/STS/MMS, I2, Retek, Evant, SAP, etc.)
About Clarks
Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brother James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off cuts. At the time it was ground-breaking: a combination of invention and craftsmanship that has remained at the heart of what the brand does now. In the Clarks archive of more than 22,000 pairs that have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and Launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognizable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks. This season, we're proud to introduce the Clarks Collective: five incredible activists championing authentic social change. From mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights to greater racial equality, these trailblazers are committed to creating a brighter future for us all-bringing to life Clarks' new global campaign, for the World Ahead. Through spotlighting their stories and supporting their chosen charities and initiatives, we're ready to lead the way. After all, we're the originators, not imitators. It's who we are, who we've always been. And to change the world of tomorrow, we're doing things differently today.As a global employer, Clarks is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. We strive to create a productive environment which everyone has an equal chance to succeed at all levels through the organization. We will not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, disability, marital status, color, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment', complying with local legislative requirements. 
 
Actual compensation within a pay range will be based on factors including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, performance, Clarks’ business needs, internal equity and any statutory obligations. The pay range for this role may be modified by Clarks at any time in the future.