Main purpose of the   Manager of Retail Planning & Allocation role: A Manager of Retail Planning & Allocation is responsible for developing and executing strategies to ensure the right products are in the right stores at the right me, optimizing inventory levels, and maximizing sales and profitability. This role involves managing financial budgets, forecasting demand, and collaborating with other departments like merchandising, buying, planning, and operations. Major Responsibilities: Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Inventory Management:Developing and executing allocation strategies to optimize inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and maximize product turn. Demand Forecasting:Analyzing sales data, market trends, and other factors to forecast demand for specific products and categories. Financial Planning:Managing budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation to achieve financial targets. Buying Influence:Referencing data from Demand Forecasting and Financial Planning to provide input to support Retail specific buys by season, ensuring alignment with eCom. Collaboration:Working with merchandising, buying, store operations, and other teams to align planning and allocation strategies. Performance Analysis:Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like sales, inventory turnover, and gross margin to identify areas for improvement. Team Leadership:If applicable, leading and developing a team of analysts or planners to support planning and allocation activities. System Implementation:Participating in the design and implementation of systems for inventory management and allocation Required Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: Creating seasonal assortment plans:Developing plans for the types and quantities of merchandise to be carried in stores during a specific season. Allocating merchandise to individual stores:Determining how many of each product to send to each store based on factors like sales history, store capacity, and demand forecasts. Including building a replenishment strategy for stores that is rooted in data, customer profile, and on hand inventory for Retail. Developing and implementing markdown strategies:Determining when and how to reduce prices on merchandise to clear inventory and maximize sales. Supporting open-to-buy:Providing insight into how much inventory to purchase based on sales forecasts and financial targets. Analyzing sales and inventory data:Identifying trends, patterns, and opportunities to improve sales and inventory management. Presenting findings and recommendations:Communicating insights to senior management and recommending changes to planning and allocation strategies. Minimum Qualifications: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 5+ years experience in retail planning, allocation, or inventory management 10+ years of retail operations Knowledge and experience with financial planning and partnership Proficiency in using retail planning and allocation systems Excellent communication and collaboration skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team A bachelor's degree in business, merchandising, supply chain, or a related field is often a plus for this position Proficient in GSuite & Excel Travel up to 25% of the me Available for hybrid in-person work schedule - Position based in Cerritos, CA