Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family's sense of love and dedication. We don't just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve deserve it.

Job Overview:

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for driving sales, margin, turn and growth within assigned accounts. This position will support the Buyers in developing and executing the strategic vision while delivering on sales and profit goals. It requires leveraging your technical expertise to identify opportunities, develop assortment plans and execute allocation strategies. The Merchandise Planner will build effective relationships with the buying, operations and visual teams to develop strategies and drive business.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

• Planning
  • Develop assortment plans that support overall financial needs and leverage opportunities
  • Maximize sales and profit through proper planning and execution of merchandise placement
  • Analyze in-season product performance weekly, assess and determine changes that may impact sales &/or inventory
  • Maintains OTB for assigned areas of responsibility
• Merchandise Buying
  • Partner with Buyer to build assortment and sourcing strategies
  • Identify historical core assortment and forecast to protect the core business
  • Develop hindsight and market preparation
  • Analyze and evaluate vendor cost quotes to ensure effective negotiation of costs of goods and deliver conditions
• Inventory Management
  • Forecast and analyze the OTB, managing the flow of merchandise to support rate of sale
  • Manage inventory supply levels, order placement, validating and tracking orders
  • Responsible for maintaining an accurate item database
  • Leads the resolution of inventory management related discrepancies

Required Skills

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• 3-5 years of merchandise planning responsibility
• Strong financial and business acumen
• Advanced Excel skills
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office
• Ability to quickly learn multiple POS systems
• Experience with cloud-based systems, uploading files and making changes to online documents
• Denver based position

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-Time, Exempt
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend
• Flex Time Off: no accruals; employees are encouraged to schedule time off as needed within business scope.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave
• Parental Leave: Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on the birthing event
• SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Bonding and your family's serious medical conditions.
• Up to 5 days Paid Bereavement Leave
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.