Merchandise Planner

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Review & analyze Indirect sales account trends based on identifying business risks & opportunities
• Planning & forecasting SKU level demand for channels owned
  • Specialty Key Accounts and/or Amazon
  • Initial Seasonal plans
  • Seasonal re-trending of Indirect SKU level plans
  • SKU forecast plans used to track performance as well as demand signals for D365 to order against
  • First delivery of a cost negotiation forecast roughly 3-4 weeks after Line Lock
  • Second delivery is a final forecast 1-2 weeks after Cost Negotiation forecast.
  • Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template & then loaded into Planning System
• Planning & maintaining all class-level Merch Plans
  • Creating initial class level financial plans that bridge between our strategic financial plans & product goals
  • Each of these plans is done offline in an Excel based forecasting template then loaded into Planning System
  • Monthly re-trending of Class Level Merch Plans
• Support Monday Business Review deliverables with updated consumption through current on order
• Complete ad hoc Sales reports for Harper Group/Sales team as requested
• Support Weekly Business Unit reviews with team to review forecasts vs consumption to determine if additional units are needed or forecast should be reduced working with Inventory Planning for excess inventory requests
• Adjust Planning System as needed tracking these changes with Manager to review and pass on to Sales team
• Execute ad hoc forecast uploads that are off cadence from traditional planning calendar i.e. Cut to Order programs
• Partner with Sales team to assist with product and style requests/needs that may come through email tracking a comprehensive list to be reviewed with Manager and Merch Team
• Create Investment Review slides to summarize investment for leadership stakeholders

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors degree in finance business retail management marketing or related field or equivalent experience required
• 4 years of experience in planning or forecasting field or equivalent experience required
• Enterprise Planning systems experience a strong plus
• Advanced Excel experience strongly preferred
• Omni channel experience strongly preferred
• Experience in both cost & retail methods of accounting a strong plus

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent PC skills utilizing Microsoft Office applications advanced Excel skills a plus
• Detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload and concurrently manage multiple projects.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers handling situations with confidence tact and resourcefulness. Maintains a positive demeanor is collaborative and is able to influence and persuade.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently or with little supervision
• Ability to solve complex problems analyze solutions and take a new perspective on existing solutions
• Ability to apply best practices and industry knowledge to improve products or processes
• High level of analytical thinking and attention to detail with strong aptitude in retail math and forecasting methodology
• Understands the key business drivers and uses this knowledge in own work

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

• Office environment: Utilizing an office desk sitting reading listening or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Strong sensory skills such as good eyesight good hearing and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment including computers copiers and phones

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

VRA offers a variety of medical dental and vision programs to meet your familys health care needs.

• Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts

Survivor Benefits

Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.

• Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance
• Accidental Death and Disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance for you your spouse and your children

Income Protection

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury VRA provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.

• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Paid family medical leave

Retirement Plan

The VRA 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement

• 401k with generous company match immediate vesting (age and service requirement)
• Strong line up of professionally managed funds
• Safe-harbor plan design

Paid Time Off

Enjoy generous time off programs.

• Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more
• 9 paid holidays a year
• Paid bereavement leave

Give Back Opportunities

VRA offers the opportunity to serve your community.

• Voluntary Time Off

Holistic Wellness

• Access to a variety of financial physical and mental wellness experts

• Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services
• Opportunities for leadership development skill development and career advancement

Product Discount

• Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley products

Ancillary Benefits and Programs

• Bonus opportunity identity protection legal services pet insurance cell phone discount employee referral bonus annual birthday gift DailyPay corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer.

Vera Bradley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

For more information please click the following links:

Vera Bradleys Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process please send an e-mail to . Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.

Base Pay Range:

Vera Bradleys compensation ranges are based on market data and comply with all local state and federal regulations. Individual pay within the listed range depends on work location skills experience and relevant education. The posted salary reflects base pay only and excludes bonuses equity or other incentives if applicable.