Associate Planner

About us

Ann Taylor embodies and celebrates the spirit, heritage, and confidence of American women leading the lives they love. Since its beginnings, Ann Taylor has been committed to providing women with everything they need to feel inspired and motivated as they navigate their multifaceted lives. Our effortlessly polished styles are thoughtfully designed to go anywhere—from the office to special occasions (and everywhere in between).

Discover a culture centered on empowering employees, with access to industry leaders and tools you need to expand your skills and stretch your abilities. We'll meet you at every milestone with opportunities and benefits to make life better in and outside of work (not to mention your closet). Ready to join us?

About The Role

The Associate Planner builds financial sales, gross margin and inventory plans for departments in a given area at a multichannel level. The Associate Planner will also use analytics to make client focused business decisions to achieve sales, margin and turn across both channels. In partnership with their manager, this person will manage and plan merchandise inventory positions and markdown strategies to drive departmental sales, inventory, profit and turnover objectives. Provides in-season financial projections and strategies. Identifies risks and opportunities to maximize profits. Contribute to projects resulting in improved departmental systems and efficiencies.

The impact you can have

• Develop, consolidate, and communicate a comprehensive pre-season planning strategy for cross channel inventory movement that identifies opportunities and risks.
• Reforecast business in-season based on current performance, present revised projections and recommendations to cross-functional partners and senior leadership.
• Ensure that each channel is planned and managed at appropriate growth rates and inventory is proactively managed.
• Provide Merchants with analytics to support assortment decisions by channel and develop promotional and markdown strategies to maximize profitability and sales.
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and make future recommendations.
• Participate in all aspects of line building process with Merchandising Lead or participate in department projects to improve systems or efficiencies.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to communicate division level financial merchandising plans that support the seasonal financial objectives.
• Strategize, develop, and present seasonal key item plans that support sales and GM goals for stores and .com.
• Identify and communicate potential inventory liabilities and drive appropriate actions to resolution.
• Participate in developing processes that build efficiencies and streamline work streams.
• Use retail financial measurements to evaluate short-term and long-term impacts of business decisions.
• Analyze quarterly hindsight.

You’ll bring to the role

• 2-4 years of retail buying, planning or financial analysis experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
• E-Commerce experience is strongly preferred.
• Results driven; strategic, conceptual, and innovative thinker.
• Expert command of retail math concepts, applications, and statistical analysis.
• Possess strong communication skills to partner effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to develop realistic work plans, goals, and schedules.
• Detail oriented, with excellent follow-through skills.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work productively in a team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits At KnitWell Group

• Merchandise discount at our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant & Talbots (in store and online)
• Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities*
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K) retirement*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time off – paid time off & holidays*

The target salary range for this role is: $65,000 - $75,000

Any job offer will consider factors such as your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

This position works in a hybrid model.

Location:

Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law.

The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process please contact [email protected]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.