Overview:
We are seeking a highly analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive Associate Planner, Wholesale Account Planning to support account-level sales forecasting, retail sell-through analysis, inventory management, and Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning across a portfolio of brands, including Lucky Brand, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, and Aéropostale. This role supports key Department Store, Chain, and Specialty retail partners and plays a critical role in driving profitable growth through data-driven insights and disciplined inventory management.
Reporting to the Planner, this individual will partner closely with internal Wholesale Sales and Planning teams, as well as external retail partners, to develop forecasts, monitor business performance, identify opportunities and risks, and deliver actionable recommendations. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with commercial acumen and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where strategic decision-making is driven by data.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain seasonal, quarterly, and annual sales, inventory, margin, and OTB plans by brand/account and channel.
- Own weekly and monthly forecasting, retail sell-out analysis, and financial recaps.
- Partner with Sales teams to align forecasts, replenishment opportunities, order pacing, and business plans.
- Monitor and analyze POS trends, inventory productivity, sell-through, and weeks of supply.
- Identify risks and opportunities and recommend actions to maximize revenue and margin.
- Support inventory optimization, transfers, liquidation strategies, and fulfillment planning.
- Build and maintain reporting, dashboards, market tools, and hindsight analysis.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal Sales/Planning partners as well as external retail buying/planning teams.
- Support monthly reforecasting and scenario planning activities.
- Prepare management presentations and strategic business recommendations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Retail Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field.
- 3–5+ years of wholesale planning, account planning, forecasting, or related retail experience.
- Experience supporting wholesale, specialty retail, or department store businesses preferred.
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables/lookups/forecasting models) and strong retail math proficiency are required. AI proficiency a plus.
- Business & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of wholesale planning, forecasting, OTB, inventory management, margin, sell-through, and retail productivity metrics.
- Analytical Thinking: Transforms data into actionable insights and business recommendations.
- Account Partnership & Collaboration: Builds strong relationships with internal and external partners to drive business results.
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Supports account business plans and executes against financial objectives.
- Communication & Presentation: Presents data, insights, and recommendations clearly and effectively.
- Ownership & Accountability: Demonstrates initiative, accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
- Organizational Effectiveness: Manages multiple priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.
- Adaptability & Continuous Improvement: Embraces change and seeks process and reporting improvements.
- Results Orientation: Focuses on achieving sales, margin, and inventory goals.
- Customer & Market Focus: Understands retail trends, account dynamics, and consumer behavior.
What you get
If eligible, we offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays*, and 401(k) with Company match. All associates are eligible for an associate discount on Catalyst Brands merchandise. For paid holidays, associates who are eligible for paid vacation (MTO) are also eligible for eight paid holidays during the calendar year. All store hourly associates scheduled to work on a designated holiday will receive additional compensation. *For paid vacation days, as well as eligibility requirements for other benefits, please visit www.catalystbrandsbenefits.com
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Pay Range:
USD $62,700.00 - USD $114,000.00 /Yr.