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Retail Merchandise Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Merchandise Planner

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

This role supports key retail partnerships across department stores, specialty retailers, and marketplace accounts. The Merchandise Planner will partner closely with Sales, Production, Operations ...

This role supports key retail partnerships across department stores, specialty retailers, and marketplace accounts. The Merchandise Planner will partner closely with Sales, Production, Operations ...

Design Your Future at PVH Merchandise Planner The Team Within our Omni Planning & Allocation team ... Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics or Retail preferred * Open to be relocated to ...

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 ...

This role supports key retail partnerships across department stores, specialty retailers, and marketplace accounts. The Merchandise Planner will partner closely with Sales, Production, Operations ...

Overview The Merchandise Planner is responsible for executing the merchandise planning process for ... national retailer solely devoted to the category. We provide creative, multifunctional ...

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 ...

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 ...

... retail stores. Reporting to the Director of Merchandise Planning, the Merchandise Planner will own financial forecasting and in-season strategies, proactively identifying risks and opportunities to ...

Merchandise Planner QVC Group West Chester, Ohio Working at QVC Group means joining a live social ... QVC Group, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company with six leading retail brands - QVC ® , HSN ® , and our ...

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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 Jun 8, 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 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 forecasting, planning, and managing inventory levels to ensure that the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities. They analyze sales trends, consumer demand, and past performance to create effective merchandise plans that maximize sales and minimize excess stock. Merchandise Planners work closely with buyers, suppliers, and store managers to optimize product assortment, pricing, and stock allocation across different locations. Their main goal is to increase profitability and improve the overall efficiency of the retail supply chain.

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:
Infographic showing various Retail Merchandise Planner job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Full Time, 90% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,893 per year, or $37 per hour.
Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

Walgreens

Deerfield, IL • On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Walgreens rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 2,093 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 99 rated pharmacies


Job description

Job Description
Job Summary
The Merchandise Planner works in collaboration with the Category Management Team to deliver on the business strategy by leading the development and ongoing management of the annual and weekly financial plan, creating the business forecast, and evaluating potential pricing decisions and promotional plans. Manages ongoing financial plans through data-driven recommendations and creation of the demand plan. Works highly collaboratively within a matrix organization to ensure the cross functional team is delivering budgeted P&L results.
Job Responsibilities
  • Develops category and/or departmental financial plans to achieve sales and profit goals. Recommends actions based on historical performance and forecasts comparing various scenarios.
  • Partners with various areas within Retail Products and cross functional project teams to drive key initiatives that impact the business and deliver end to end P&L results.
  • Conceptualizes highly complex analytics to provide insights for proactive issue resolution and evaluations.
  • Provides post mortem analysis of merchant category to identify trends and recommendations to maximize results.
  • Identifies item level opportunities to drive performance while controlling inventory levels by leveraging data and insights. Analyzes sales trends, item level data, pricing and promotional plans, markdowns and budgets to build a demand plan.
  • Performs annual financial planning and conducts weekly forecasting. Executes reports to drive performance and alignment across category team and cross functional partners.
  • Develops approaches to drive the development of broad reaching initiatives.
  • Establishes guidelines, best practices and standards.

About Walgreens
Founded in 1901, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) has a storied heritage of caring for communities for generations, and proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and leading omni channel platforms. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for retail pharmacy and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.
External Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree and at least 2 years of experience in one or more of the following: retail, merchandising, planning, demand planning, inventory management, allocation, analytics, finance or replenishment, OR a High School Diploma/GED and at least 4 years of experience in two or more of the following: retail, merchandising, planning, demand planning, inventory management, allocation, analytics, finance or replenishment.
  • Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization, including the executive level.
  • Strong analytical skills, problem solving skills and recommends solutions, superior critical thinking skills, and strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Experience developing and delivering presentations to various audience levels within an organization.
  • Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Excel (for example: using SUM function, setting borders, setting column width, inserting charts, using text wrap, sorting, setting headers and footers and/or print scaling).
  • Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Word (for example: inserting headers, page breaks, page numbers and tables and/or adjusting table columns).
  • Intermediate level skill in Microsoft PowerPoint (for example: applying a theme, formatting character spacing, inserting a picture, changing slide layout and theme colors, adding transitions, customizing slide numbers, changing chart style and/or formatting font).
  • Willing to travel up to 10% of the time for business purposes (within state and out of state).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree OR MBA.
  • 4 years of experience in one or more of the following: retail, merchandising demand planning, inventory management, allocation, analytics, finance or replenishment.
  • At least 1 year of experience in cross functional team leadership.
  • JDA, SAP or other merchandise planning tools.

We will consider employment of qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
The Salary below is being provided to promote pay transparency and equal employment opportunities at Walgreens. The actual hourly salary within this range that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled. To review benefits, please click here jobs.walgreens.com/benefits. If you are applying on a job board or unable to click on the link, please copy and paste this URL into your browser jobs.walgreens.com/benefits

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