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Merchandise Planning Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Merchandise Planner

OR ยท Remote

Planning Manager Location: Cottonwood Heights, UT (Hybrid) or Remote About the Role Backcountry is looking for a Merchandise Planner to own open-to-buy planning, demand forecasting, and inventory ...

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Merchandise Planner

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$82K - $99K/yr

Merchandise Planner San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and ... You'll also support the Planning Manager of Growth Areas to shape company-wide plans and forecasts.

Merchandise Planner

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$82K - $99K/yr

Merchandise Planner San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and ... You'll also support the Planning Manager of Growth Areas to shape company-wide plans and forecasts.

Apply Early

Support the development and ongoing management of merchandise financial plans, including sales ... Support enhancements to planning tools, reporting processes, and data accuracy * Identify ...

Merchandise Planning Analyst

Vienna, VA ยท On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Support the development and ongoing management of merchandise financial plans, including sales ... Support enhancements to planning tools, reporting processes, and data accuracy * Identify ...

Merchandise Planning Analyst

Vienna, VA ยท Hybrid

$80K - $90K/yr

Support the development and ongoing management of merchandise financial plans, including sales ... Support enhancements to planning tools, reporting processes, and data accuracy * Identify ...

Support the development and ongoing management of merchandise financial plans, including sales ... Support enhancements to planning tools, reporting processes, and data accuracy * Identify ...

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Merchandise Planning Manager information

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$55.5K

$97.2K

$152K

How much do merchandise planning manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 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:
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What states have the most Merchandise Planning Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Merchandise Planning Manager jobs include:
Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

CSC Generation

Cottonwood Heights, UT โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Adventure is our Culture. Join a team that celebrates a lifestyle as bold as the terrain we love. At Backcountry, we are rooted in adventure, recognition, and wellbeing on and off the mountain. We spotlight employee stories, celebrate milestones, and offer exclusive outdoor perks. Whether you are at HQ, in a retail store, or remote, you will be part of a team that thrives on energy, exploration, and connection.
Reports to: Planning Manager
Location: Cottonwood Heights, UT (Hybrid) or Remote
About the Role
Backcountry is looking for a Merchandise Planner to own open-to-buy planning, demand forecasting, and inventory management across product categories. As Merchandise Planner, you will partner closely with the Merchandising team to build comprehensive merchandise plans, manage inventory levels, and deliver margin and pricing recommendations that directly impact the financial health of your division(s).
Within your first six months, you will have full ownership of your division's open-to-buy process, be leading monthly reviews with senior leadership, and be delivering data-driven recommendations that optimize sales, margin, and inventory turn.
This is a lean team. You will own a lot, move fast, and make decisions with full end-to-end responsibility.
What You'll Do
  • Develop comprehensive merchandise plans that align with company goals, sales targets, and market trends across multiple product categories
  • Own and manage Open-to-Buy meetings and monthly reviews with senior leadership
  • Forecast demand using historical data, market trends, and customer insights to drive accurate sales projections, inventory needs, and replenishment strategies
  • Monitor inventory levels, analyze sell-through rates, and recommend actions to optimize on-order quantities, minimize stock-outs, and reduce overstock
  • Conduct regular financial analysis of sales performance, margin trends, and product profitability-identify opportunities and risks, and present actionable recommendations
  • Manage the financial success of your division(s) by meeting sales, margin, and inventory turn goals
  • Ensure structured reporting deliverables are met, evaluating reports for accuracy, performance efficiency, and standardized best practices
  • Proactively identify opportunities beyond day-to-day operations to maximize sales potential and drive incremental growth

Required Qualifications
  • 3+ years of assortment, demand, or merchandise planning experience, including 2+ years in a retail ecommerce environment
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional aptitude for numbers and retail math
  • High proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and beyond) and strong aptitude to learn new technical applications quickly
  • Demonstrated daily use of AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or similar) for real work-you iterate on prompts, evaluate outputs critically, and know when AI is the right tool vs. when it is not
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills-able to present complex information concisely to varied audiences
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across peers and cross-functional teams, and influence critical stakeholders
  • Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities; able to organize and prioritize workload under pressure to meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications
  • Softgoods planning experience
  • Experience planning a mixed-brand business
  • Knowledge of demand planning, allocation, and forecasting systems (e.g., JDA, Oracle, SAP, Anaplan)

Why Join
The people who do best here are builders. They take ownership, move fast, and want to see the direct impact of their work.
  • Cross-Functional Impact: You will partner directly with Merchandising, Finance, and senior leadership-your analysis and recommendations will shape buying decisions and financial outcomes across entire product divisions.
  • AI-First Skill Building: Get hands-on with the most advanced AI tools in the market. From automation to prompt engineering, you will build a modern analytical toolkit that sets you apart in any industry.
  • End-to-End Ownership: You will own the open-to-buy process and financial performance of your division(s), with the autonomy to drive real results and the accountability that comes with it.
  • Competitive Benefits: Paid time off policies, 401(k) match, medical/dental/vision and a variety of supplemental policies, and employee discounts across our portfolio of brands.

Interview Process
  1. Recruiter Screen - A 30-minute conversation with our recruiting team to align on the role, your background, and what you are looking for.
  2. AI / Problem-Solving Challenge - A short take-home exercise so we can understand how you approach problems and execution.
  3. Hiring Manager Interview - Conversation with the Planning Manager focused on your planning experience, analytical approach, and cross-functional collaboration style.
  4. In-Person Interview - We'd like to meet you at our Salt Lake City office. Details and logistics will be arranged with your recruiter.
  5. Reference Checks - Conducted in parallel with the final stages where possible.
  6. Offer - We move quickly for the right candidate.

Interview process is subject to change. Any updates will be communicated promptly and clearly.
CSC Generation is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
The CSC Generation family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected].
For US-based candidates, this posting is intended for candidates that reside in the following states:
AZ, DE, FL, GA, IN, LA, MI, MS, MO, NV, NC, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI, and WY.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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About CSC Generation

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CSC Generation is a multi-brand technology platform based in Merrillville, IN, United States. The organization operates in the retail sector and utilizes technology to save retail companies from going into bankruptcy, while also offering consumers the ability to lease their purchases. Founded by serial entrepreneur, Justin Yoshimura, CSC Generation has leveraged its proprietary technology and customer database to quickly revitalize distressed retail brands. The company's mission revolves around the concepts of reinvention and innovation as it aims to redefine traditional retail and direct-to-consumer models in today's digital age. Notably, the company has, to date, acquired several brands such as DirectBuy, Killion, and most notably, Z Gallerie, growing fast within the e-commerce sector.

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Merrillville, IN, US

Year founded

2016