Under minimal supervision, the Merchandise Planner will create and manage department/class sales, inventory, and profit plans for assigned departments.   This position will effectively analyze and identify business risk and opportunities and partner with merchandising team to propose solutions based on this analysis in order to achieve and exceed the organization’s financial goals.

• Create 12 month seasonal sales, inventory, and profit plans for assigned departments.
• Reforecast weekly; sales, and margin based on current trends as well as initiate discussions with the buying team as needed to ensure that open-to-buy is accurate, and inventory is in line with sales trend and plan.
• Partner with buying team to properly manage sku count through assortment planning and markdown strategies.
• Partner with allocation team to maximize inventory balance within the stores as well as ensuring stock levels on promotional merchandise.
• Partner with buying team to plan item level reorders of current items in order to maximize sales while minimizing inventory risk.

• Responsible for approving all purchase orders based on open-to-buy and the needs of the business. 
• Run and analyze reports in order to react to current business trends as well as anticipate future business trends.
• Performs other duties as necessary.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Kirkland’s Values

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 3 – 5 years planning experience.
• Or any equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the key responsibilities of this position.
• Highly motivated and results oriented.
• Ability to negotiate with and influence peers and members of cross functional team.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships.
• Ability to formally present business strategies and action plans.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time