Merchandise Planning Manager

Job Title: Manager – Merchandising & Planning (Fashion & Apparel) Location: NYC Employment Type: Full-Time (GC & Citizen’s only) Job Summary We are looking for a dynamic Manager – Merchandising & Planning from the fashion & apparel industry to lead merchandise planning, inventory optimization, and financial performance. This role requires a strong understanding of fashion trends, seasonal planning, and retail metrics, along with the ability to translate data into actionable business strategies. Key Responsibilities Own and drive merchandise planning across categories, including assortment planning and seasonal forecasting Manage and track Open-to-Buy (OTB) to ensure optimal inventory levels and stock flow Analyze and improve gross margins, pricing architecture, and cost structures Partner with design, buying, and sourcing teams to align product strategy with financial goals Monitor and optimize key retail metrics such as sell-through, inventory turns, GMROI, and markdowns Work closely with IT teams to implement or enhance planning systems and tools Build dashboards and reports to provide insights on sales performance, trends, and risks Identify opportunities for range optimization, replenishment, and markdown strategies Drive in-season trading decisions based on performance and demand trends Required Skills & Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, Finance, or related field 5–8+ years of experience in fashion/apparel merchandising or planning, with at least some experience at a manager level Strong understanding of: Open-to-Buy (OTB) Gross margin management Costing and pricing in apparel Experience with planning tools/systems (implementation or usage) Strong business orientation with the ability to collaborate with IT and cross-functional teams Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling) Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail Preferred Qualifications Experience in fast fashion or multi-category apparel brands Familiarity with tools like SAP, Oracle, Anaplan, or similar planning systems Understanding of fashion lifecycle, seasonal drops, and trend-based merchandising Experience in omni-channel retail (store + e-commerce) Key Competencies Strong commercial acumen and trend awareness Data-driven decision making Agility in a fast-paced fashion environment Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management Problem-solving and execution focus