PLANNER-General Merchandise at The Kroger Co. in Portland, Oregon

Job Description:

Work closely with buyers to create category financial plans. Plan, forecast and coordinate each division's weekly, period and annual sales for general merchandise (GM); ensure profit budget is consistent with corporate/division goals. Perform analyses; recommend actionable steps to improve/enhance category performance. Demonstrate the company s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety. Minimum
- Bachelor's Degree business or a related field plus two years of combined assistant buyer and assistant planner experience or a combination of relevant education/experience
- Ability to complete tasks with a high level of accuracy and a strong attention to detail
- High complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales/EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 11)
- Moderate complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales/EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 10)
- Low complexity in terms of item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales/EBITA and growth goals (Lvl 9
- Highly motivated/self-directed
- Ability to function in a fast-paced retail/office environment
- Proficient Microsoft Office skills
- Familiar with retail industry technical terms/processes
- Ability to organize/prioritize tasks/projects

Desired
- Computer systems knowledge
- Experience directing/participating on project teams
- Familiarity with financial systems- Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
- Create/manage financial plans by period, including sales, markdowns, gross margin and turnover at sub-class level for department store formats and class level for other formats
- Create/manage assortment plans; perform product allocation for department, marketplace and food stores
- Provide analysis based on quantitative/qualitative sources to drive enterprise sales, margin and inventory strategies
- Support advertising/display plans and optimization of on-floor presentations and turnover
- Re-forecast in-season sales, margin and turnover based on current trends/market dynamics; recommend actions to address improvement opportunities
- Reconcile department store open-to-buy; communicate status to key stakeholders
- Analyze seasonal/fashion categories; recommend courses of action; create a strategy for the following season
- Facilitate team meetings; provide timely communications to the planning team regarding process strategies Work closely with Replenishment team to manage store/warehouse inventory
- Create/manage sales markdown reports/forecasts for department stores
- Determine plan-o-gram minimums by utilizing store volume and with input from GM/divisional merchandise managers, buyers and replenishment analysts; communicate results to vendors
- Conduct enterprise-wide store tours
- Maintain awareness of industry trends, the competitive landscape across enterprise and regional needs
- Analyze results of promotions/markdowns; make recommendations to support business goals
- Ensure new/remodeled stores are planned correctly and inventory is allocated to maximize sales
- Travel to markets and for vendor appointments
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation