Junior Merchandise Planner

The Junior Merchandise Planner holds responsibility for assisting with the development and execution of the product plans from merchandise planning through the merchandise allocation stage. This role is a starting point on the planning team inclusive of a development program in which the incumbent will learn all intricacies of planning with a senior level mentor and coach with the ultimate goal of positioning this individual for upward growth in the Planning & Allocation department. This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Lines core values of Customer People Winning Community and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following key duties:

• Assists with the development of annual seasonal monthly and weekly merchandise plans in cost of goods and units

• Executes weekly markdown forecasts by collaborating with buyers to agree on SKUs and price points

• Executes comprehensive department financial and product strategies

• Helps Planners develop pre-season plans and recommend purchase/investment quantities and develop accurate receipt flow forecasts

• Analyze historic performance and planned strategies to identify areas of opportunity or risk

• Develop maintain and update tools reports etc. to support the needs of the business

• Supports product allocations to ensure right stock right place right quantities right stores right time

• Actively participate in assortment development and review providing data and analysis to support decision-making

• Collaborate on best strategies to address product liabilities and develop action plans to liquidate in a timely and profitable manner such as cancels RTVs and markdown

• Provide periodic reporting on business performance

• Evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results

• Build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners

• Identify and articulate the processes necessary to accomplish tasks efficiently and align resources effectively

• Anticipate risks and identify contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occur

• Additional duties and projects as required

Required Education and/or Experience:

Bachelors degree in Business Retail or Finance from a four-year college or university; 1-2 years merchandise allocation experience and/or Financial/Product Planning experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.

Required Computer and/or Technical Skills

Should have basic knowledge and abilities within Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.

Core Competencies:

• Communication Skills

• Ability to read analyze and interpret general business information. Ability to write reports business correspondence and procedure manuals/bets practices. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers vendors and employees.

• Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables.

• Business and industry knowledge and acumen

• Business and educational aptitude to learn/acquire the knowledge needed to move into a Merchandise Planner role in 9-18 months

Physical Demands:

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

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift

• Use hands to finger handle and feel

• Reach with hands and arms

• Talk and/or hear

• Walk or move from one location to another

• Occasionally may need to climb balance stoop kneel or crouch

• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally

• Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the companys policies are required for the position.

• Average work week is (40-50) hours which can vary depending on business need.

• The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting.

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.

#LI-DNI

This job description is not intended to cover all aspects duties and/or responsibilities required of employees. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice.

EEO Statement:

The Finish Line Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal state and local EEO laws. The Finish Line Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color religion or creed national origin alienage or citizenship status marital status sex pregnancy status age military status disability or any other characteristic or class protected by law. The Finish Line Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws including for disabilities pregnancy and religious practices.

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Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at or email us at A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.)