Toys R Us is currentlylooking for an enthusiastic, professional, highly motivated, analytical, business savvy and resilient individual who will thrive in a fast-paced environment.PurposeThe Merchandise/Retail Planner develops, maintains, analyzes and executes category level item plans for one or more departments. The Planner is also responsible for store allocations and works directly with Buyer and Merchandise & Planning Manager to achieve strategic goals. The position works directly with suppliers to exchange orders, sales data and item availability information. Manage, train and monitor the Orders Clerks.Chain Item PlanningDevelop and maintain item sales and inventory plansOverall management and utilization of inventory procurement planDevelop item unit plan using the replenishment system softwareDevelop inventory plan by week by chain.Recommend changes to assortment, markdowns, markups, and to promote items based on current rate of sales and go forward plansTrack weekly sales performance and make adjustments to sales, forecast receipts and markdowns as neededReview item plans (forecasted sales and inventory) with Buyers and suppliers to ensure product availabilityCommunicate inventory concerns for promotional and inline sales through the proper communication vehicles.Work with Buyers to develop consensus on forecast salesProvide Buyers with promotional forecast for input into ROI and marketing submissionsReplenishment / AllocationOrder and manage inventory investments according to OTB and to ensure the right product arrives in the right location in the right quantity at the right timeAnalyze and determine allocation methods for items (Supplier to DC or Direct to Store), based on range profile, store profile and rankingAnalyze, determine and execute initial orders for new items to include quantity and timingUtilizing the ordering, replenishment and inventory procurement plans, review, maintain and execute vendor orders to ensure proper flow of product from supplier to all stores/DC, within given Open To Buy, Weeks Of Supply, and in stock goals\Works directly with suppliers sharing orders, information on sales plans, performance metrics, and gathering data on item availability\Maintain the supplier/category ordering calendar to optimize inbound flow of goods.Analyze store and DC inventory and in-stocks to ensure appropriate store replenishment; execute changes either manually or utilizing allocation toolsCollaborate with stores and marketing team to develop specific allocation segmentations, support critical roto and Key Item processes, and store specific merchandise requestsCollaborates with Sales and Operation Team to address supply chain and system issuesCollaborates with Logistics Team to ensure proper prioritization of hot/ needed product.Manage exception reporting to ensure proper allocation down to store levelAssortment PlanningMaintain and partner with Buyers in understanding of store profiles for each categoryWork directly with Buyers to ensure that assortment plans and item eligibility directly coincide with replenishment plansWorking with the same team and store planning, suggest appropriate store groupings and bin allocation.Validate presentation minimums to ensure enough inventory is available to support periodic events like end caps and feature spaceFinancial Analysis, Pricing / OTB PlanningResponsible for maintaining financials including Open-to-Buy planning based on the inventory procurement plans.Engage with Buyers to manage current and future OTB status, identify issues and opportunities and develop strategies to optimize OTB planningDevelop financial plans with Buyers to achieve the department’s annual sales and net margin goalsAnalyze sales data to identify key performance drives of sales performance and opportunities for expansionAnalyse margin data to ensure budget goals are metPrepare and develop, plan and implement pricing strategies; implement price reductionsSKU/Product/System ManagementReview outliers, focus on items that doing well as well as those that are less successful to guide buyingConsistently evaluate SKU count to ensure dominance of best-selling products and optimal range.Liaise with Buying team on system maintenance updates and changes, which include - delisting’s (product and/or suppliers), price changes (sell and cost), product loading, promotions, conditional pricing, product hierarchy, supplier details etc.Marketing/ Advertising & PromotionsPartner with the Buyers and Marketing teamto review promotions and proofs all advertising before releaseProcess catalogues and insert submissions on the systemTrack shipping and local orders on all advertised items and prioritize orders for warehouse and localsProof ad copy/photography and proof advertising (pricing, codes, pagination)Track sales on advertised material and report to respective teamsManage the marketing ROI template by entering deals, prior and actual projectionsCommunicate all promotions related activity to store teamsLeadership/Talent Enhancement & TrainingContinuously update knowledge and skills in both technical and non-technical merchandising competencies to handle new challengesDevelop and train Orders ClerksProvide feedback, coaching and guidance where appropriate to enhance skill developmentCross Functional PartnershipCommunication across company departments/cross functional teamsManage tasks and responsibilities within cross-functional teams and cultivate networks across divisions and functions to improve business processes; ensure honest, direct and ethics in dealing with others (Shipping, Finance, Marketing, Warehouse, Ops, HR, Store Design, Property etc.)Key RequirementsRelevant 3-year Degree/Diploma2 to 3 Years of Product Planning Experience in a retail environmentArticle Clerk with a passion for planningHigh level of Excel ability essentialMust understand forecasting aspect of planning and interaction of key KPI’sSound numerical, analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skillsStrong data handling capabilitiesStrong merchant, trader and commercial mentalityTeam Collaborator who is strategic and forward thinkingStrong planning, organizing, administrating and coordinating skillsAbility to work independently, self-lead and use initiativeMethodical, detail-orientated and high level of accuracyPunctual, Deadline driven and outcomes focusedStrong analytical and financial skillsHigh attention to detailInventory managementSales planningForecastingMust have excellent communication and interpersonal skillsProven ability to work with all levels within an organisationReplenishment systemAble to interpret numerical data, form conclusions and make quick decisions based on thisAble to multi-task and prioritise time/workload effectivelyHighly driven, motivated and confidentImaginative and creative in identifying workable solutionsTaking responsibility for development and have a hunger for autonomy and accountabilityPassionate about retail with a desire to progress through to Buyer and beyond#J-18808-Ljbffr