Item Planner

Job Title: Item Planner

Team: NAM Allocation & Fulfillment

Scope: Individual Contributor, P3

Years of Experience: 3-5+

Location: Ventura, CA, Hybrid

The Item Planner serves as a results-driven advocate focused on in-season item sales forecasts and inventory optimization. This role is responsible for updating inventory plans across distribution centers (DCs) and channels to support pre-season demand plans, as well as adjusting sales forecasts and bulk orders in-season to react to actual demand. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and efficient inventory management and develop strategies to achieve channel sales and inventory targets.

What You’ll Do:

Pre-Season

• Partner with Channel Merchants and Allocation teams to confirm pre-season demand forecasts by DC to inform Supply Chain and Supply Planning activities.
• Input DTC bulk orders into D365 to protect pooled inventory for DTC channels.

In-Season

• Update current season item/color DTC sales forecasts and replenishment plans monthly based on trend and inventory availability.
• Adjust bulk orders to align with updated sales forecasts.
• Facilitate cross-channel alignment for constrained inventory where supply is less than demand.
• Develop item-level discounts, promotional, and clearance strategies, including what-if scenarios, to achieve sales or end inventory plans.

Key Deliverables

• Weekly in-season DTC style/color reforecasts and insights.
• Monthly updates and summaries of DTC item/color sales and purchase/receipt forecasts and notation of bulk needs.
• Discount, promotional, and end-of-season clearance strategies and scenario planning.

Who You Are:

• Analytical: Strong Excel skills and experience with statistical forecasting.
• Accurate: Impeccable attention to detail and comfortable validating your own work.
• Effective Communicator: Able to consistently communicate and relay pertinent information clearly across internal and external teams.
• Collaborative: Enjoy working with cross-functional partners, building trust, and fostering a positive team environment.
• Flexible: Skilled at handling multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and adapting to shifting priorities.
• Proactive & Prescient: Anticipate opportunities and challenges before they arise and act without being prompted.
• Confident: Comfortable forming and sharing opinions while prioritizing effectively.
• Dynamic: Bring enthusiasm and passion for our mission-driven work to “Save Our Home Planet”.
• Resilient: Thrive in ambiguity and evolving environments.

Experience You Bring:

• College degree in a related field, Business Administration, Economics or Supply Chain Preferred
• Strong background in merchandise planning and inventory optimization, preferably within the retail industry.
• 3+ years of experience in managing demand forecasts / forecasting sales, optimizing buy quantities, and analyzing inventory trends within the retail consumer products sector.
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with leadership and cross-functional teams including buyers, planners and allocators.
• A results-driven mindset, strong problem-solving skills to develop effective strategies and the ability to identify opportunities for sales and inventory optimization.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Expert knowledge of Excel is required with experience using demand forecasting and ERP inventory management systems (e.g., D365).

Hiring Range: $100,000-$110,000 USD Annual

At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget. Note the full pay range for this role ranges from: $90,800.00 - $136,200.00 USD Annual. The Hiring Range reflects where in the range we intend to hire for this role.

Benefits

Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment. 

Workplace Location Overview

This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional additional office visits may be required for team events or critical meetings.

Employee Conduct 

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors.