The Merchandise Planner is responsible for the analysis and identification of business risks and opportunities to maximize sales, profitability, and inventory turnover objectives. This includes creating plans and forecasts for sales and gross margin by channel/department/classification as well as forecasting activities for style/colors associated with channels and products.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans and forecasts by channel/department/class and establish inventory targets and strategies, translating the merchandise strategy and vision into actionable plans with profitable results.
• Ensure merchandise plans reconcile to company fiscal targets.
• Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities.
• Recap and analyze actual sales results to plan; forecast in-season sales and inventory on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
• Reconcile merchandise plans with the style/color SKU plans.
• Accurately assess financial risk associated with unproductive inventory and closeouts.  Perform in-season discounting analysis to support exit strategies and related timing and execution with gross margin implications.  Review and recommend items for markdown.
• Work with Merchandising to establish initial markup targets that reconcile to gross margin plans.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with members of all cross-functional areas (Merchandising, Sales, Store Operations, E-Commerce, Marketing, Finance, Retail Allocation and Inventory Planning) to ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.
• Develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends.
• Prepare hindsight analysis to identify opportunities for future plans and strategies.
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and make recommendations to guide future decisions.
• Deep dive into style/color plans by channel and/or sub-channel; identify opportunities to drive style and material performance to increase top-line sales while mitigating bottom line risk
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data and evaluate forecast results
• Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine forecasts to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions
• Use JDA Planning software to maintain merchandise class and SKU forecasts
• Provide input to the Inventory Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, retail management, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience required
• 2+ years of experience in planning or forecasting field, or equivalent experience required
• Impact Analytics systems experience a strong plus
• Omni channel experience strongly preferred
• Experience in both cost and retail methods of accounting a strong plus

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office applications, advanced Excel skills a plus
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers handling situations with confidence, tact and resourcefulness.  Maintains a positive demeanor, is collaborative, and is able to influence and persuade. 
• Ability to work and make decisions independently or with little supervision
• Ability to solve complex problems, analyze solutions and take a new perspective on existing solutions
• Ability to apply best practices and industry knowledge to improve products or processes
• High level of analytical thinking and attention to detail with strong aptitude in retail math and forecasting methodology
• Understands the key business drivers and uses this knowledge in own work

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment:  Utilizing an office desk – sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers and phones

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

VRA offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family’s health care needs.

• Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts

Survivor Benefits

Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.

• Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance
• Accidental Death and Disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children

Income Protection  

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury VRA provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.

• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Paid family medical leave

Retirement Plan

The VRA 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement

• 401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement)
• Strong line up of professionally managed funds
• Safe-harbor plan design

Paid Time Off  

Enjoy generous time off programs.

• Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more
• 9 paid holidays a year
• Paid bereavement leave

Give Back Opportunities  

VRA offers the opportunity to serve your community.

•        Voluntary Time Off

Holistic Wellness

• Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts

• Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services 
• Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement 

Product Discount

• Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products 

Ancillary Benefits and Programs

• Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. 

Vera Bradley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

For more information, please click the following links:

Vera Bradley's Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to [email protected].  Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Base Pay Range:

$58,100.00 - $87,100.00

Vera Bradley’s compensation ranges are based on market data and comply with all local, state and federal regulations. Individual pay within the listed range depends on work location, skills, experience, and relevant education. The posted salary reflects base pay only and excludes bonuses, equity, or other incentives, if applicable.