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Merchandise Planner Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

As a Merchandise Planner, you'll provide in-season decision support, collaborate on assortment planning, recommend localization and channel strategies including cluster types and profiles, and lead ...

Lab Planner

Minneapolis, MN · Hybrid

$77K - $91K/yr

Collaborate with the project team in planning facilities by developing flexible planning modules, lab organization diagrams and service distribution concepts. * Prepare documentation of laboratory ...

Inventory Planner

Burnsville, MN · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Works with merchandising team members and vendors to plan inventory needs; accountable for sales forecasts, ladder planning, and vendor coordination for purchasing. Demonstrates effective software ...

Planner

Rochester, MN · On-site

$79K - $112K/yr

Planner Community Development The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening ...

Planner

Rochester, MN

$79K - $112K/yr

Planner Community Development The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening ...

The Planner plays a key role on our Customer Focus Team (CFT) at the Business Unit (BU) level. This role has the principal responsibility for managing inventory levels, adherence to demand management ...

The Planner plays a key role on our Customer Focus Team (CFT) at the Business Unit (BU) level. This role has the principal responsibility for managing inventory levels, adherence to demand management ...

Medical Planner National multidisciplinary design firm is seeking a talented Medical Planner to join either their Minneapolis, Washington D.C., Virginia or Baltimore office. In this role, you will be ...

Deployment Planner

Minnetonka, MN · On-site

$85K - $101K/yr

In this role the Deployment Planner will work closely with the production planners, transport and warehouse teams, customer service and demand planning to determine optimal quantities to ship in ...

In this role the Deployment Planner will work closely with the production planners, transport and warehouse teams, customer service and demand planning to determine optimal quantities to ship in ...

SENIOR PLANNER

Blaine, MN · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

The Senior Planner is a seasoned supply chain and production planning professional who provides strategic oversight and leadership across multiple product lines, departments, or customer programs.

SENIOR PLANNER

Blaine, MN · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

The Senior Planner is a seasoned supply chain and production planning professional who provides strategic oversight and leadership across multiple product lines, departments, or customer programs.

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Merchandise Planner information

See Minnesota salary details

$32.3K

$75.3K

$108.7K

How much do merchandise planner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for merchandise planner in Minnesota is $75,310.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,800.00 and $87,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do merchandise planners get paid?

Merchandise planners typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and company size. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced planners or those in senior roles can earn over $100,000. Compensation often includes benefits and opportunities for bonuses based on performance.

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

To thrive as a Merchandise Planner, you need strong analytical abilities, proficiency in demand forecasting, and a solid understanding of retail math, often supported by a degree in business, finance, or merchandising. Familiarity with planning software such as Oracle Retail, SAP, or JDA, along with advanced Excel skills, is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and responding to market trends. These competencies ensure inventory is optimized, sales targets are met, and profitability is maximized in a dynamic retail environment.

How does a merchandise planner typically collaborate with buyers and inventory teams to ensure optimal product availability?

Merchandise Planners work closely with buyers to analyze sales data, forecast demand, and develop assortment strategies that align with business goals. They also partner with inventory teams to monitor stock levels, identify potential shortages or surpluses, and adjust replenishment plans accordingly. This collaboration helps ensure that the right products are available at the right time, reducing markdowns and maximizing sales opportunities. Regular meetings and open communication between these teams are essential for responding quickly to market trends and customer preferences.

What is a merchandise planner?

A merchandise planner follows trends in product inventory to ensure that retail stores have the right amount of stock. Job duties include analyzing sales data to inform merchandising decisions, collaborating with the company buyer, interpreting past sales to identify trends, determining how much of an item to have in stock, and maximizing sales. You need a mathematical mind and strong analytical skills to be successful in this career.

What is the difference between Merchandise Planner vs Inventory Analyst?

AspectMerchandise PlannerInventory Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Business, Retail, or related field; experience in retail planningBachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentRetail companies, fashion brands, department storesRetail, manufacturing, distribution centers
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by retail and apparel companies to plan product assortment and salesUsed across retail and supply chain sectors to monitor inventory levels

The main difference is that a Merchandise Planner focuses on developing sales forecasts and planning product assortments, while an Inventory Analyst concentrates on managing and optimizing inventory levels to prevent stockouts or overstock. Both roles require analytical skills and are essential in retail operations, but they serve different functions within the supply chain and sales planning process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Merchandise Planner jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Merchandise Planner jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Merchandise Planner jobs in Minnesota? For Merchandise Planner jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Merchandise Planner jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Merchandise Planner job openings:
Infographic showing various Merchandise Planner job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,310 per year, or $36.2 per hour.

Merch Planner - LTO (Minneapolis)

Target

Minneapolis, MN • Hybrid

$73K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Target rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 6,976 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

The pay range is $73,000.00 - $132,000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position.These include labor markets and in some instancesmay include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Job Description

About us:

Workingat Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. Webring that vision to life through our values and culture.Learn more about Targethere.
A role in Planning means being in charge of the financials and forecasting for one of Target's businesses. Here, you'll conduct comparative analysis of holiday or other seasonal performance reports and provide the insights that inform the Inventory team's work to ensure that product supports projected sales. Acting as the hub between Merchandising and Supply Chain, you will create a financial link between these two essential groups and have a voice in some of the most important decisions from a financial strategy standpoint.
As a Merchandise Planner, you'll provide in-season decision support, collaborate on assortment planning, recommend localization and channel strategies including cluster types and profiles, and lead demand forecasting. You'll support the divisional strategy through your category expertise and partnerships with cross-functional teams and vendors. You will head up the open-to-buy process and decide on category-level investment and the financial validity of assortments. You will conduct root cause analysis for variation between supply and demand forecasts to support "chase-cancel" decisions and communicate implications to vendors. You'll conduct scenario planning, build unit plans, and lead initial set planning and operationalization to optimize assortments. A large part of your role will be to interpret forecast results and conduct "what if?" analysis to guide your go-forward recommendations. You will validate the unit promo planning forecast, drive maintenance, risk analysis and decision-making by the Pricing & Promotion Center of Excellence. And you'll run event forecast creation and flow, analyzing item lifecycles and driving recommendations on end-of-season management.
Core responsibilities are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.
About you:
Four-year degree or equivalent experience
2-6 years of relevant experience
3+ years of Merchandising experience
Strong strategic, financial, and analytical skills; can easily translate data from an array of sources into insights and recommendations
Strong collaboration skills to partner with cross-functional teams
Flexible, resilient and comfortable working in "grey areas" that are constantly changing

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target's needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member's core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually, depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target. Clickhereif you are curious to learn more about Minnesota.

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.


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About Target

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We're here to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. Target is a general merchandise retailer with stores in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. 75% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Target store. We employ 400,000+ Our tagline is "Expect More. Pay Less." We've been using it since 1994! The Target Corporation also owns Shipt and Roundel. More to love! Target is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, its hometown since the first Target store opened in 1962 under The Dayton Company.

Industry

Retail and scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US