Planning Analyst (Contract)

About the Role

The Planning Analyst is a key contributor within the Retail Planning organization partnering closely with the Planning & Allocation Manager and the Buying team. This role supports end-to-end retail planning workflowsfrom seasonal buy preparation size-level analysis and inventory optimization to weekly reporting and in-season reforecasting. The Planning Analyst provides data-driven insights identifies risks and opportunities and recommends actions that improve inventory productivity in-stock rates and store performance.

In addition this position may provide direct allocation support during peak periods system implementation and new-store openings. The ideal candidate is highly analytical detail-oriented proactive in problem-solving and comfortable shifting quickly between tactical tasks and strategic analysis in a fast-paced retail environment.

Youll Make a Difference By

• Building size-level size breaks and buying templates for pre-season buys; partnering with buyers to validate and finalize size curves.
• Creating and distributing weekly business recaps highlighting performance drivers risks opportunities and actionable recommendations.
• Producing quarterly and seasonal hindsight recaps summarizing wins misses and learnings to guide future strategic buying.
• Monitoring inventory by style store type (Full Price Outlet) and stock category; identifying opportunities to improve inventory utilization.
• Performing in-season analysis to recommend re-buys and early releases based on sales trends inventory levels and weeks of supply.
• Providing allocation coverage for stores as needed when allocators are redirected to system implementation.
• Partnering with the Allocation team during new-store openings to prepare initial allocations and order tracking.
• Other duties as assigned.

About You

• 2 years of retail planning allocation business analytics or merchandising experience.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables lookups formulas) and comfort with retail math (sell-through WOS turn AUR etc.).
• Experience working with reporting systems (Tableau BI tools preferred).
• Ability to synthesize large datasets into clear insights and recommendations.
• High attention to detail and accuracy; able to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride work and play outdoors and care about performance quality comfort and style.

The pay range for this position is $37.00-$43.00 per hour.

The salary is determined by the education experience knowledge skills and abilities of the applicant internal equity and alignment with market data for geographic locations. Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

This contract position may be eligible for select benefits through the payrolling agency. Benefits may include medical dental and vision insurance options and 401k.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex orientation national origin age disability genetics or any other basis protected under federal state or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process email

Please see our Employment Candidate Privacy Policy at to learn more about how we collect use retain and disclose Personal Information.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment the absence of a signed Agreement Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter/agency placement the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes including those submitted directly to hiring managers are deemed to be the property of Ariat.