Merchandise Planner - International Ops

This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading global retail brand, partnering with Aquent to drive significant impact in a pivotal role. You will be instrumental in shaping the brand's presence and success across European digital and store channels, directly influencing sales, inventory efficiency, and profitability. Your expertise will contribute to optimizing product flow and ensuring our customers always have access to the products they love.

**About the Company**

Join a leading global retail brand renowned for its iconic presence and commitment to empowering customers worldwide. This company thrives on innovation, customer-centricity, and a culture that values diversity, curiosity, and continuous learning. They are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every team member can contribute, grow, and make a tangible impact on the business and its global reach.

**The Impact You'll Make**

As a key contributor, you will be at the forefront of optimizing merchandise planning and inventory management for our expanding European digital and store operations. You will leverage crucial sales and inventory analysis to provide strategic recommendations that maximize sales and profitability. This role offers the chance to collaborate across diverse teams, influence product launch strategies, and ensure seamless inventory flow, directly contributing to the brand's growth and customer satisfaction.

**What You'll Do**

* **Merchandise Planning & Strategy**

* Manage sales plans and inventory levels specifically for the European digital channel.

* Collaborate with our global digital team to understand market trends, identify nuances, and assess risks/opportunities to achieve business objectives.

* Analyze and drive business performance and trends, ensuring assortment strategies maximize growth potential through effective assortment planning and tiering analysis.

* Provide critical input to monthly planning forums, aiming to optimize inventory across multiple distribution centers and operating models based on merchandise and sales trends.

* Partner closely with merchandising teams to support assortment goals, product launch cadences, and markdown strategies.

* Ensure digital active dates are accurate and information flows seamlessly through internal assortment and digital activation tools.

* Oversee that international exclusive products progress through the product development process and that all necessary attributes are populated for our digital platforms and franchise data handoff.

* Cultivate strong relationships with cross-functional teams, building credibility through clear and effective communication.

* Respond promptly to ad hoc requests from various cross-functional teams.

* **Inventory Management**

* Manage merchandise inventory levels within the European distribution center, ensuring accurate ring-fencing across channels through inbound receipt tracking and collaboration with other planners, demand forecasters, and deployment analysts.

* Continuously monitor and adjust inventory in-season to minimize markdowns and achieve end-of-season stock targets.

* Align inventory expectations with the brand's deployment strategy through ongoing education on our global inventory management processes.

* Partner with logistics teams to provide accurate European distribution center volume projections.

**What You'll Bring**

* **Must-Have Qualifications**

* 3-5 years of experience in analytical roles such as merchandise planning, inventory deployment, demand forecasting, finance, or logistics.

* High level of technical proficiency using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

* Excellent statistical and quantitative analysis skills.

* Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and interact effectively with various customer types and levels.

* Exceptional communication, prioritizing, and problem-solving skills.

* A strong team player mentality with a commitment to fostering teamwork among associates.

* Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required.

* **Nice-to-Have Qualifications**

* International experience is a plus.

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**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.