The Senior Merchandise Planner is responsible for leading the merchandise planning process for a select division.  The Senior Merchandise Planner must effectively lead a division of Merchandise Planners and Associate Planners in analyzing and identifying business risks and opportunities while partnering with the merchandising team to propose solutions based on this analysis in order to achieve and exceed financial goals.

• Oversee the development, analysis, and revision of bottom-up department sales, margin, and inventory turn plans for a select division.
• Work with Merchandise Planning Manager to ensure the developed plans meet company financial goals.
• Partner with Buying teams to properly manage inventory levels through proper forecasting, assortment planning, and markdown strategies.
• Ensure all purchase orders fall within approved open-to-buy financial parameters for division.
• Develop sales and margin goals for all promotional events.
• Partner with allocation team to maximize inventory balance within the stores as well as ensuring stock levels on promotional merchandise.
• Coordinate weekly markdown needs with Merchandise Planning Manager and Divisional Merchandise Manager.
• Run and analyze reports in order to react to current business trends as well as anticipate future business trends.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Kirkland’s Values

• Bachelors Degree
• 4+ years of merchandise planning experience.
• 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 motivate and train planning team members.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must have strong technical skills; specifically Microsoft Excel, Business Intelligence software, and industry recognized Planning and Allocation tools. Oracle Retail a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.