Senior Manager, Merchandise & Retail Systems Operations

JOB SUMMARY:

The Sr. Manager Merchandise & Retail Systems Operations owns the end-to-end business use of Oracle merchandise and planning systems (MFP Category/Assortment Demand & Supply Planning Merchandising) for Theme Park & E-commerce retail ensuring data integrity consistent ways of working and continuous improvement across the planning organization. This role acts as the business product owner and process guardian for planning systems working closely with Merch Planning Merch Product Development Finance IT Sourcing and the system integrator to translate commercial needs into scalable system capabilities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process & system ownership
  • Own end-to-end process design for Oracle Retail planning and merchandising capabilities (financial assortment/category demand supply allocation lifecycle).
  • Define standard operating procedures calendars and workflows for planners and merchants ensuring consistency across parks channels and categories.
  • Maintain the planning RACI and ensure process changes are documented communicated and adopted.
• Configuration releases & support
  • Serve as primary business owner for planning systems: partner with IT and SI on configuration enhancements testing and releases (UAT regression cutover).
  • Prioritize and manage the planning systems backlog (enhancements defects data fixes) based on business value and risk.
  • Triage and resolve system issues impacting planners and merchants; coordinate with IT for escalations and root cause fixes.
• Data integrity & merchandise foundations
  • Govern merchandise hierarchy attributes and classification rules used by planning and allocation ensuring they support reporting clustering and decision making.
  • Oversee seasonal and in season item and location set up processes (item master channels locations packs calendars) to ensure products are orderable allocatable and visible across Oracle solutions.
  • Partner with Master Data Buying and Finance to align item vendor and hierarchy standards across PLM Merch and downstream systems.
• Adoption training & change management
  • Build and lead a network of super users across Category Demand and Supply Planning to champion new tools and processes.
  • Develop training materials playbooks and refreshers for new hires and new releases; run regular training sessions and office hours.
  • Own change impact assessments for planning-related projects and ensure communication training and cutover plans support smooth transitions.
• Performance analytics & continuous improvement
  • Define and monitor KPIs tied to planning system performance and process health (forecast adoption plan completion data error rates parameter hygiene cycle times).
  • Identify and deliver process and system improvements that enhance planner productivity forecast quality inventory turns and in-stock performance.
  • Partner with Analytics/BI teams to ensure Oracle data structures support standard dashboards for merchandising planning and inventory initiatives
• Project & stakeholder leadership
  • Represent the Planning function in Oracle roadmap discussions deployments and cross-functional governance forums.
  • Facilitate alignment between Merch Planning Buying Stores E-commerce Finance and IT on how tools are used to support commercial outcomes.
  • Support planning workstreams within broader transformation initiatives (e.g. SKU rationalization receipt flow optimization inventory health programs).
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy procedures training and team member involvement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelors degree in Business Finance Information Systems or Business Analytics or a related field is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• 7 years in Merchandise Planning Allocation Category Planning or Supply/Demand Planning in multi-channel retail; theme park or entertainment retail a plus.
• Handson experience with at least one enterprise planning platform (Oracle Retail strongly preferred; SAP Anaplan o9 Blue Yonder also valuable).
• Demonstrated experience as a business process owner super user or product owner for planning/merch systems including backlog prioritization and UAT.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Deep knowledge of retail planning processes: MFP assortment OTB demand/supply allocation markdowns and liquidation.
• Strong data literacy; comfortable with SQL/BI or similar for troubleshooting and validation a plus.
• Excellent documentation facilitation and training skills; able to translate complex systems into clear practical guidance for planners and merchants.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a bias toward simplifying processes and reducing manual work.
• Strong understanding of merchandise hierarchy item setup and lifecycle management and how they drive planning and allocation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional change influence without direct authority and communicate with both technical and business stakeholders.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Consistent attendance is a job requirement.

Your talent skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E)
At Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) we dont just create productswe create a universe that fans can hold in their hands wear play read and experience every day. From Jurassic Worlds roaring adventures to the playful charm of Minions and the timeless wonder of Back to the Future we transform stories into unforgettable moments that spark joy across the globe.
UP&E has grown rapidly while keeping the energy agility and inventive spirit of a start up. Our mission is bold: to take imagination beyond the screen and into the real world through innovative products immersive retail moments and extraordinary theme park destinations. We bring both Universal-owned and third party worlds to life across expansive theme park destinations e commerce platforms live entertainment venues and global retail partnershipsfueling fandom everywhere it lives. Whether its iconic toys fashion collaborations books collectibles lifestyle products or cutting edge video games we work with world class licensees and creators to make our universe tangible.

Here creativity meets technology and strategy meets storytelling. We connect design commercial excellence and fan passion to deliver experiences that millions cherishinside the parks and far beyond them. As part of Universal Destinations & Experiences youll join a global team that thrives on collaboration imagination and the power of culture shaping ideas. Your work will inspire fans uplift communities and leave a lasting mark on entertainment history.

We believe in a workplace where every voice matters every perspective is valued and every colleague can shine. Thats how we strive to be an employer of choice for talent and a partner of choice for retailers licensees and creators who share our passion for world class storytelling. If youre ready to bring imagination to life and create moments that resonate worldwideyour next adventure starts here.
Join us and help create moments that matter. is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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