Merchandise Planner

Petco Petco · Retail

The Merchandise Planner role at Petco focuses on driving sales, optimizing inventory, and enhancing customer satisfaction through data-driven planning and forecasting. This involves developing financial plans, forecasting sales and inventory, managing inventory levels, and analyzing performance metrics. The role requires strong analytical skills, retail acumen, and proficiency in Excel and planning tools.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develop and maintain merchandise financial plans by category, season, and store/channel
  2. Forecast sales, margin, and inventory targets based on historical data and market trends
  3. Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment strategies to minimize stockouts and overstocks
  4. Analyze performance metrics including sell-through, turn, margin, and ROI
  5. Work closely with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams

Skills

Required

  • Strong ability to interpret data and forecast trends
  • Deep understanding of specialty retail dynamics and customer behavior
  • Clear and collaborative communication across departments
  • Advanced Excel skills
  • Experience with planning tools (e.g., JDA, SAP, Oracle)
  • Ability to balance short-term needs with long-term business goals
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, or related field
  • 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in specialty retail

Nice to have

  • Experience with omnichannel retail and inventory optimization tools