Merchandise Planning & Assortment Specialist at Nine Line Apparel

The Merchandise Planning & Assortment Specialist is a key member of the merchandising and purchasing team, responsible for driving data-informed assortment decisions across all channels. This role focuses on analyzing weekly sales, category performance, and inventory trends to recommend actionable strategies that optimize product mix, maximize sales, and meet profitability goals. The Specialist will create structured quarterly and category-level plans, align inventory allocation to demand, and partner closely with Purchasing, Planning, and Marketing teams. Key ResponsibilitiesAssortment Planning & Strategy Build, analyze, and maintain merchandise assortments by category and channel to maximize sales and profitability. Develop quarterly and seasonal assortment strategies aligned with brand standards and financial goals. Identify gaps, opportunities, and trends in the assortment to propose adjustments and new product initiatives. Partner with Purchasing to ensure assortment plans align with inventory availability and lead times. Analytics & Reporting Monitor weekly sales, inventory, and allocation reports to identify opportunities for assortment optimization. Track key metrics, including sales, margin, MMU, and sell-through by category and SKU. Use historical data, trends, and forecasting tools to support decisions and present actionable recommendations. Generate reports and presentations for cross-functional teams to guide strategic decisions. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Purchasing, Planning, Merchandising, and Marketing to implement assortment strategies and inventory initiatives. Communicate key findings and recommendations to senior leadership to influence merchandising and purchasing decisions. Collaborate with e-commerce and retail teams to ensure proper allocation, availability, and presentation of product. Inventory & Allocation Management Oversee inventory levels by category, ensuring optimal product distribution across channels. Recommend allocation strategies to maximize sales and minimize stockouts or overstock situations. Partner with Purchasing to forecast demand, plan orders, and ensure timely product flow. Qualifications & Core Competencies 5+ years of merchandising, buying, or merchandise planning experience in retail, e-commerce, or wholesale. Strong analytical skills and ability to derive actionable insights from large data sets. Advanced proficiency in Excel; experience with ERP or merchandising systems (e.g., Netsuite, SAP) preferred. Experience in assortment planning, allocation strategy, and inventory analysis. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying opportunities and solving problems. Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to drive profitable decisions. Success Indicators Structured, profitable merchandise assortments that drive sales and meet margin goals. Timely and accurate recommendations for assortment adjustments and inventory allocation. Effective cross-functional collaboration resulting in seamless execution of assortment plans. Data-driven insights that influence strategic decisions and deliver measurable business impact.