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Retail Merchandise Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Walgreens

Merchandise Planner

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Job Summary The Merchandise Planner works in collaboration with the Category Management Team to ... Partners with various areas within Retail Products and cross functional project teams to drive key ...

Walgreens

Merchandise Planner

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Job Summary The Merchandise Planner works in collaboration with the Category Management Team to ... Partners with various areas within Retail Products and cross functional project teams to drive key ...

Marshall Retail Group

Merchandise Planner

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$62K - $80K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. * 3+ years of experience in retail merchandise planning, allocation, or inventory management ...

Ross Stores, Inc

Merchandise Planner

Manhattan, NY

$98K - $110K/yr

Driving a business depends on strong analytical, conceptual, and retail math skills. * Bachelor's Degree required and a minimum of three years retail merchandise planning experience and a minimum of ...

Ross Stores

Merchandise Planner

New York, NY · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

Driving a business depends on strong analytical, conceptual, and retail math skills. * Bachelor's Degree required and a minimum of three years retail merchandise planning experience and a minimum of ...

Ross

Merchandise Planner

New York, NY · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

Driving a business depends on strong analytical, conceptual, and retail math skills. * Bachelor's Degree required and a minimum of three years retail merchandise planning experience and a minimum of ...

Ross Stores

Merchandise Planner

Manhattan, NY

$98K - $110K/yr

Bring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong ... The Merchandise Planner is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives within their fast ...

Ross Stores

Merchandise Planner

New York, NY

$98K - $110K/yr

Bring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong ... The Merchandise Planner is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives within their fast ...

Dollar Tree

Merchandise Planner Manager

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$105K - $118K/yr

Experience using merchandise planning and retail ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle Retail, Blue Yonder, or similar). * Demonstrated ability to develop financial plans, sales forecasts, inventory ...

Dollartree

Merchandise Planner Manager

Chesapeake, VA

$105K - $118K/yr

Experience using merchandise planning and retail ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle Retail, Blue Yonder, or similar). * Demonstrated ability to develop financial plans, sales forecasts, inventory ...

Big Lots

Merchandise Planner

Columbus, OH · On-site

Position Requirements / Recommended Skills • Bachelor's Degree in Business related field. • 3 - 5 years merchandise planning experience in a retail environment. • Possess Microsoft Office skill ...

Ross Stores

Merchandise Planner

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

Bring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong ... The Merchandise Planner is responsible for executing the strategic initiatives within their fast ...

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Retail Merchandise Planner information

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$33K

$76.9K

$111K

How much do retail merchandise planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for retail merchandise planner in the United States is $76,893.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,000.00 and $89,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Retail Merchandise Planners face in balancing inventory levels and sales targets?

Retail Merchandise Planners often navigate the delicate balance between maintaining optimal inventory levels and achieving sales targets. A key challenge is accurately forecasting demand for various products, especially in the face of changing consumer trends and seasonal fluctuations. Planners must also coordinate closely with buyers, suppliers, and store managers to ensure timely stock replenishment while minimizing overstock and markdown risks. Effective communication and data analysis skills are essential for making informed decisions that support both profitability and customer satisfaction.

What is the highest paying merchandiser job?

The highest paying merchandiser roles are typically senior or executive positions such as Merchandising Director or Vice President of Merchandising, which can offer salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. These roles often require extensive experience, strategic planning skills, and leadership responsibilities within large retail organizations.

What is a merchandise planner's salary?

A retail merchandise planner's salary typically ranges from $50,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior planners or those in high-cost areas can earn over $100,000, often with skills in data analysis and inventory management.

What is the difference between Retail Merchandise Planner vs Retail Buyer?

AspectRetail Merchandise PlannerRetail Buyer
Primary FocusForecasting sales, inventory management, and merchandise planningSelecting and purchasing products to meet customer demand
Skills & CertificationsAnalytical skills, inventory management, retail software proficiencyNegotiation, product knowledge, vendor relations
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, collaborating with planning and merchandising teamsStore visits, vendor meetings, purchasing decisions
Industry UsageCommonly used in retail chains, department stores, and e-commerceUsed across retail sectors including apparel, electronics, and specialty stores

While both roles are essential in retail operations, the Retail Merchandise Planner primarily focuses on sales forecasting and inventory management, ensuring the right products are available at the right time. The Retail Buyer concentrates on selecting and purchasing products, building relationships with vendors, and curating merchandise to attract customers. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and hiring needs within retail organizations.

What does a retail merchandise planner do?

A retail merchandise planner is responsible for analyzing sales data, forecasting demand, and developing inventory plans to ensure the right products are available at the right time. They collaborate with buyers and store teams, use planning software, and focus on maximizing sales and profitability through effective stock management.

How to become a merchandise planner?

To become a retail merchandise planner, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Relevant skills include data analysis, inventory management, and proficiency with planning software like Excel or specialized retail tools. Gaining experience in retail or merchandising roles can also help build the necessary expertise for this position.

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

To thrive as a Retail Merchandise Planner, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in business, finance, or merchandising, often with a relevant degree. Familiarity with inventory management systems, data analysis tools like Excel, and planning software such as Oracle Retail or JDA is typically required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities set top performers apart in this role. These skills are vital for optimizing inventory, maximizing sales, and ensuring the right products are available to meet customer demand.
More about Retail Merchandise Planner jobs
Who are the top companies hiring for Retail Merchandise Planner jobs? The top employers for Retail Merchandise Planner jobs are:
What states have the most Retail Merchandise Planner jobs? States with the most job openings for Retail Merchandise Planner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Retail Merchandise Planner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Retail Merchandise Planner jobs are:
Retail Merchandise Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Retail Merchandise Planner job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, 44% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $76,893 per year, or $37 per hour.

Merchandise Planner

Anta International

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing and executing merchandise plans that optimize sales, inventory, and profitability across retail and wholesale channels. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Retail Operations, Marketing, and Finance to translate business strategies into inventory and assortment plans, ensuring the right products are available at the right place and the right time. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with commercial acumen to drive informed planning decisions, improve inventory productivity, and support sustainable business growth.


Key Responsibilities:

1. Merchandising Planning & Inventory Optimization:

  • Assortment & OTB: Assist in developing seasonal assortment plans and Open-to-Buy (OTB) structures aligned with financial targets.
  • Order & Launch Management: Oversee end-to-end order tracking and maintain the master product launch calendar across online and offline channels.
  • Commercial Strategy: Partner monthly with stakeholders to align sales targets and design responsive promotional/markdown plans to drive sell-through.
  • Inventory Control: Monitor stock levels to optimize Weeks of Supply (WOS), manage inventory health, and minimize aging stock.
  • HQ Alignment: Collaborate with Global/Regional HQ to ensure seasonal assortment and OTB plans are submitted on time.

2. Retail Merchandise Planning:

  • Store Assortment & Capacity: Build and maintain product assortment plans optimized for store physical capacity and local customer profiles.
  • Performance Reporting: Analyze weekly sales and inventory data to identify top-performing styles, slow movers, and emerging category trends.
  • Allocation & Replenishment: Manage new product intake and execute timely stock replenishment from the JDL warehouse to the sales floor.

3. Wholesale Planning & Business Support:

  • Goal Setting: Partner with the wholesale team monthly to establish realistic targets and proactively adjust sales projections based on business performance.
  • Sales Enablement: Regularly provide inventory availability reports and product insights to support client negotiations and order placements.
  • Performance Tracking: Maintain the monthly wholesale target tracker to ensure high visibility on budget pacing and order status.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or related field
  • 3–7+ years of experience in retail merchandising, buying, or planning (sportswear/fashion preferred)
  • Strong experience in OTB planning, allocation, and in-season trading
  • Solid understanding of store operations and retail performance drivers
  • Advanced Excel skills; experience with merchandising/planning systems is a plus
  • Experience in multi-store retail environments preferred


Skills & Competencies

  • Strong analytical and commercial mindset
  • Ability to translate data into actionable merchandising decisions
  • Strong collaboration with retail, VM, and marketing teams
  • Detail-oriented with strong execution capability
  • Ability to manage multiple stores, categories, and timelines
  • Willingness to travel for store visits
  • Passion for sports and retail

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