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Merchandise Planning Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

... Planning Manager, or Director, the Merchandise Planner develops and maintains financial plans ... analyzes business performance, and partners with the Buying and Allocation teams to support sound ...

... Planning Manager, or Director, the Merchandise Planner develops and maintains financial plans ... analyzes business performance, and partners with the Buying and Allocation teams to support sound ...

... Planning Manager, or Director, the Merchandise Planner develops and maintains financial plans ... analyzes business performance, and partners with the Buying and Allocation teams to support sound ...

Exposure to relevant planning, finance, analytical, data management systems - systems used: Oracle Planning, Micro Strategies, Applied Predictive Technologies. Identifies/influences critical ...

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Merchandise Planning Manager information

See salary details

$55.5K

$97.2K

$152K

How much do merchandise planning manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for merchandise planning manager in the United States is $97,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Merchandise Planning Manager typically collaborate with buying and allocation teams to optimize inventory levels?

A Merchandise Planning Manager works closely with buying and allocation teams to ensure inventory aligns with sales forecasts and market trends. This collaboration involves regular meetings to review performance data, discuss upcoming promotions or seasonality, and adjust purchase orders accordingly. By maintaining open communication and sharing insights, the teams can minimize stockouts or overstock situations, ultimately supporting sales and profitability goals. Effective collaboration also helps streamline the replenishment process and respond quickly to changes in consumer demand.

What does a Merchandise Planning Manager do?

A Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for developing strategies to ensure the right products are available at the right time, location, and quantity to maximize sales and profit. They analyze sales trends, forecast demand, manage inventory levels, and work closely with buyers and suppliers. Their goal is to balance stock levels, reduce excess inventory, and optimize product assortment to meet customer needs and business targets.

What is the difference between Merchandise Planning Manager vs Merchandise Buyer?

AspectMerchandise Planning ManagerMerchandise Buyer
Primary FocusDeveloping sales forecasts, inventory plans, and assortment strategiesSelecting and purchasing products to meet customer demand
ResponsibilitiesAnalyzing sales data, managing stock levels, coordinating with vendorsResearching trends, negotiating with suppliers, selecting products
Skills & CredentialsAnalytical skills, inventory management, retail industry knowledgeTrend awareness, negotiation skills, product knowledge
Work EnvironmentCorporate retail offices, planning departmentsRetail stores, buying offices, supplier meetings

The Merchandise Planning Manager focuses on strategic planning, forecasting, and inventory management to optimize sales and stock levels. In contrast, the Merchandise Buyer concentrates on selecting and purchasing products based on market trends and supplier negotiations. Both roles are essential in retail operations but serve different functions within the supply chain.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Merchandise Planning Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Merchandise Planning Manager, you need strong analytical skills, experience in inventory management, and typically a degree in business, finance, or a related field. Familiarity with planning software such as Oracle Retail, SAP, or JDA, as well as advanced Excel skills, is often required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities help you work effectively across buying, merchandising, and supply chain teams. These skills ensure optimized inventory levels, maximized sales, and efficient cross-functional operations in a dynamic retail environment.
More about Merchandise Planning Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Merchandise Planning Manager jobs? Cities with the most Merchandise Planning Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Merchandise Planning jobs? The most popular types of Merchandise Planning jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Merchandise Planning Manager jobs? The top employers for Merchandise Planning Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Merchandise Planning Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Merchandise Planning Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Merchandise Planning Manager job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,202 per year, or $46.7 per hour.

Merchandise Planning Manager

clarks

Needham Heights, MA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 12 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.ย 

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 โ€“ 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. Thisย 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.ย 
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Actual compensation within a pay range will be based on factors including but not limited to a candidateโ€™s relevant experience, qualifications, performance, Clarksโ€™ 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.