About Us: Black Opal, LLC which owns the beauty brandsBLK/OPL andFashion Fair, is a leading cosmetics firm in the ethnic cosmetics space. The firm has combined experience of about 80 years, and it focuses on growing the two brands with existing and new consumers. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional products and services that enhance the natural beauty and confidence of our customers. Our commitment to high quality, value pricing and community engagement has positioned us as a prominent player in the global beauty market. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Retail Planner to join our executive team and drive operational excellence across our organization.
Job Summary: The Retail Planner will be responsible for developing and executing merchandise plans that align with the company’s financial goals and objectives within the beauty category. This role involves analyzing sales data, forecasting inventory needs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize product assortments and maximize profitability.
Key Responsibilities:
- Advanced computer skills in Excel required (v-lookups, pivot tables, complex formulas).
- Analyze sales by category.
- Be main point of contact for the designated region and perform other duties that come up such as shipping inquiries, managing product requests.
- Assist in the development of pre-season sales, gross margin and inventory plans that support product strategies.
- Manage sales and inventory plans by store to optimize revenue and turnover.
- Conduct a thorough weekly review of business with the merchant and distribution teams to monitor and reach business needs.
- Work with wholesale planning monthly to review selling at SKU Level and ad hoc when sales trends dictate changes to future forecasts.
- Communicate with internal business partners (including marketing, sales, supply chain) on major changes in business strategy and account needs.
- Basic knowledge of retail merchandising and presentation.
- Computer literate and confident with Excel, Word, Inventory management systems, and retail portals.
- Set up appropriate system parameters, profiles, safety stocks, and display minimums, to achieve store, item in-stock goals, and objectives.
- Create seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans and forecasts for sales, inventory, markdowns, and gross margin.
- Initiate and develop actionable analysis to recap business by classification and subclass at a top-line store level to partner with buying team to create strategies to drive sales and achieve gross margin profitability.
- Work with buying team and stores to analyze business by door to maximize sales and stock opportunities.
- Produce weekly reports recapping sales, inventory, and gross margin.
- Track receipts to support in-season allocation strategies.
- Liaison between Field and Transportation/DC when scheduling deliveries for ongoing weekly replenishment and promotional deliveries.
- Develop, review, and analyze weekly reports for merchandising and planning strategies.
- Partner with Allocation to ensure timely flow of newness into store.
- Work closely with Merchant Teams on assortment plans and monthly product highlights to support ongoing initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- Proven experience as a Retail Planner or in a similar role within the beauty or cosmetics industry.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools and software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other planning software.
- Minimum 4 years of wholesale or retail planning experience.
- Proficient in the use of MS Excel, MS Windows, and MS Office.
- Must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.
- Must be able to trouble-shoot issues to complete tasks in a timely manner.
- Must have effective communication skills to communicate to team members, various business contacts, and management.
- Love to work collaboratively in a group, are a confident communicator, and have an innate willingness to dig in and contribute with your team.
- Believe deeply that innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is critical in a business environment and support others in creative thinking.
Skills:
- Minimum 4 years wholesale or retail planning experience.
- Proficient in the use of MS Excel, MS Windows, and MS Office
- Must have strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.
- Must be able to trouble-shoot issues to complete tasks in a timely manner.
- Must have effective communication skills to communicate with team members, various business contacts, and management.
