Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Senior Merchandise Planner III Job in Burlington, VT

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.
At Columbia, were as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, were proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: Its perfect. Now make it better. As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Columbia Sportswears dynamic global supply chain consists of 4 distribution centers, 430 retail stores, 80 apparel factories and 20 footwear factories worldwide. We pride ourselves on being able to get products to market quickly, safely, and in the most cost-effective manner. By leveraging data analytics, we are constantly pushing to make smarter business decisions and identifying innovative ways to make Columbia Sportswears supply chain more efficient and effective to meet our consumers ever-changing needs.

As the Senior Merchandise Planner III for North America, you will focus on driving financial results that maximize sales, inventory, and profitability at the style level up to the department total and categories by two individual sites, U.S., and Canada. This position partners with management to develop, execute and communicate merchandise financial plans and strategies that support the merchandising, marketing, and financial objectives for the eCommerce business. The Senior Merchandise Planner III provides guidance to more junior members of eCommerce.

HOW YOULL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Collaborate with eCommerce Buyers to develop and communicate a comprehensive strategy that aligns future financial and product opportunities.
Analyze historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by department and class for future seasons.
Recap and analyze actual sales results to plan and forecast in-season business on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
Responsible for the open to buy process and forecasts, take action to react to recent business and inventory needs.
Own Style Forecasting process for assigned categories; collaborate with DTC Merch team to build styles forecasts using Blue Yonder Forecasting tool based on assortment. (Blue Yonder rolled out in 2020-2021. Training provided.)
Participate in cross-functional initiatives to develop processes and systems to support the forecasting, replenishment, and allocation activities necessary to support the business.
Take part in Quarterly Budget Review, and communicate the retail reforecast with other Columbia Business Units.
Work with cross-functional teams on marketing strategies, site ops directives, etc. as they relate to KPI plans.
Present sales and inventory strategies for assigned categories to cross-functional business partners.

YOU ARE
Analytical and numbers oriented, have a vision of how merchandise should be presented, and understand consumer trends.
Strong in understanding retail math including intricacies of open to buy, inventory turnover and gross margin.
Familiar with merchandise management systems and retail planning/forecasting software.
Ecom Planning/Merchandising experience strongly preferred.
Exceptional with analytical and problem-solving skills.
YOU HAVE
Bachelors degree in Business, Merchandising or related field.
5-7 years experience in retail merchandise planning, buying or allocation.
Experience working in a merchant organization as a planner, buyer, or equivalent position. Experience in a wholesale apparel organization is preferred.
Prior retail planning experience and strong organizational and influencing skills required.
PC proficient skills with working knowledge of Excel including writing formulas, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and If Statements.
Project Management experience strongly preferred.
Capability for domestic travel, which may be required 10-15% of time.

#LI-AB1









Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.


This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.


At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.