Full job description
Overview:
Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,300 stores throughout the U.S. and an innovative omni-channel ecosystem, Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. Ulta Beauty is expanding its digital capabilities, opening new stores on a continual basis and re-designing existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to re-imagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.
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POSITION SUMMARY:
A key component of our Merchandising Department, the Planner is responsible for driving the omnichannel experience by owning the forecast for exciting and inspirational product assortment and strategies that continue to wow our beautiful guests while driving growth and profitability for Ulta Beauty. In partnership with the buyer, the planner builds a forecast for all major brand and class strategies within their department of responsibility to achieve sales, margin, and turn goals. The planner is also responsible for ensuring we have the receipts and inventory necessary to drive sales during key product launches and promotions.
CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manages the development of weekly, monthly, and annual merchandise sales, inventory, and selling margin plans for assigned product categories. Reforecasts monthly based on trend and other micro and macroeconomic factors. Collaborates with merchant team to understand trend changes to influence plan forecasting and brand strategy. Partners with inventory analysts to gain information on inventory health by brand which could affect future sales performance.
- Communicates with brand partners on inventory constraints and align on forecasting sales and/or receipts for current and upcoming sales/inventory plans, including but not limited to weekly plans, promotional events, markdowns, and upcoming launches.
- Collaborates with inventory analysts on weekly replenishment, order review, Open-to Buy management, general forecasting for existing and new SKUs, inventory need for promotional events, and review in-stocks to ensure appropriate inventory levels to achieve target KPIs.
- Develops business strategies with internal cross-functional teams and align with brand partners. Implements these strategies in day-to-day activities to improve sales performance and inventory health.
- Generates ad-hoc reporting relating to sales and inventory in conjunction with merchant team. This includes, but is not limited to, developing and analyzing reporting for promotional events, reporting to provide data to cross-functional partners and leadership, and general weekly reporting.
- Participates in continuous improvement projects to support company and merchandising departmental growth, process improvement, and new ways of working.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Depending on the assigned departmental area of responsibility, the Planner may have a direct report and is responsible for coaching, leading, and developing an Inventory Analyst
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REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION:
- Bachelor‘s degree preferred, or relevant work experience required
- A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in merchandise planning and inventory or buying experience required
- Strong financial and analytical aptitude with the ability to understand financial metrics inclusive of sales, margin, and inventory turn
- Ability to work with large amounts of data into trends and develop accurate and actionable insights based on the data
- Strong collaborator with both internal partners and external brand partners, ability to negotiate per the needs of the business and the brand
- Leadership experience managing direct reports preferred, but not required
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong listening skills
- Strong Microsoft Office skills with solid proficiency in usage of Excel. Working knowledge of SAP or JDA a plus
- Process improvement advocate, desire to conduct stretch assignments to improve our team and departmental processes
- Demonstrate strong influential & negotiation skills
- Excellent organizational skills with a strong eye for detail, and capable of multi-tasking
- Strong problem solving, retail math, and analytical skills
- Strong work ethic, ability to meet tight deadlines/thrive in fast-paced environment
- Ability to embrace/maneuver change with a positive attitude
- Critical thinker, able to interact professionally with both internal and external stakeholders and influence with data
- Ability to make sound, informed decisions particularly under time pressure and in ad hoc situations.
About:
At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful . Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring-hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.