Manager II, Merchandising Planning

Position Summary...

What you'll do...

Manager II, Merchandising Planning

Data and Digital Acumen: Leverages data analysis tools to explore complex data. Develops and tests hypotheses. Builds and presents insights using visualization tools. Uses visualization tools to represent data and construct coherent stories to influence decisions. Identifies, implements, and drives technology change within scope of own work.

Product Development Financial Modeling: Owns guidance on points of distribution and financial impacts of product development issues once units have hit the stores. Oversees unit-level projections as components of Product Development.

Omni Channel Customer Focus: Makes customer-centric recommendations and decisions across all customer touchpoints. Constantly incorporates applicable and actionable customer feedback to improve function effectiveness. Understands customer behavior across channels, or within relevant channels (for example, demand trends, buying behaviors, consumption patterns around SKUs). Anticipates customer trends and influences customer demand through deep understanding of customer requirements and depth of category vision.

Budgeting: Develops and makes recommendations on category/subcategory/fine-line financial targets. Builds category-level bridge plans for a moderately complex category. Enters budget information into the planner financial system for category budgets.

Business Management Decision Support: Owns and consistently updates projections of category and subcategory-level forecasts for a moderately complex category and aligns forecasts with cross-functional team input and discussion. Drives discussion in Open to Buy (OTB) /30-60-90 meetings on category business drivers, opportunities, key action plans, and get-well dates. Owns markdown management. Performs vendor analysis (for example, Joint Business Planning) in preparation for negations and Top-to-Top meetings. Executes TAB coverage. Creates the distro for non-basic items aligned to catalogs.

Category Forecasting: Supports department-level financial forecasts. Defines items requiring unit planning/ladder plan forecasts as needed. Supports forecasts at the category level (for example, sales, GP, inventory) for a moderately complex category. Supports category-level forecasting by combining data-driven analytics, trends, business intelligence, known upcoming changes, and headwinds/tailwinds. Conducts unit-level planning and builds ladder plans.

Category/Assortment Strategy Decision Support: Owns and develops recommendations for department/category-level strategy for a moderately complex category and supports execution. Collaborates with buyer to develop category-level strategy and subcategory/fine-line strategy and makes recommendations to enhance effectiveness.

Cost and Term Negotiation Decision Support: Determines information needed for each negotiation dossier. Supports Buyer with supplier negotiations by providing relevant financial inputs and highlighting risks.

Feature and Promotion Management: Supports financial forecasts and makes recommendations for a moderately complex category. Supports the determination of item quantities for features. Collaborates with merchant partners to determine feature strategy plan. Performs relevant system entry . Provides input on item selection.

Item Forecasting: Supports item-level forecasts for applicable items and non-replenishable/Private Brands. Supports the enhancement of forecasting accuracy using automation as needed. Helps determine financial impacts of pricing actions and in-stock opportunities. Drives forecasting techniques. Supports decision on new item mod fill rate.

Line Reviews: Aligns with Omni partners on line reviews. Recommends process enhancements to line review processes to improve effectiveness. Ensures Campaign and Promotional Planning connectivity to line review for a moderately complex category. Identifies Costing Opportunities and provides recommendations to merchants (for example, smaller companies). Ensures Feature Planning connectivity to line review.

Modular Financial Modeling/Walkthrough Reporting: Supports item-level forecasts for modular walkthroughs. Supports walkthroughs. Supports the identification of mods to be used to build line reviews and supports adjustments based on post-mods analysis. Makes recommendations to buyers . Performs and drives post-modular performance analysis and reporting on chase/cancel merchandise. Identifies effectiveness, key actions, and getwell dates. Presents key financials metrics at modular walk-throughs. Tracks liability for modular ending lifecycle.

Recapping and Reporting: Supports category profit-and-loss review for a moderately complex category. Conducts ad hoc analysis as needed and resolves conflicts over prioritization with leaders. Supports hindsight analysis as needed for categories. Provides In-Season reporting and analysis for Key Seasonal Events . Builds department-level Quarterly Business Review with risk/upside ranges with input from category teams and divisional merchandising manager (DMM).

Strategic Initiative Decision Support: Forecasts quantities for selected items. Determines distribution. Develops financial roll ups. Presents key financials metrics at AE walk-throughs. Executes prioritized strategic initiatives from merchant leaders. Conducts analysis to support strategic initiatives and provides input on actionable insights stemming from analysis.

Demonstrates up-to-date expertise and applies this to the development, execution, and improvement of action plans by providing expert advice and guidance to others in the application of information and best practices; supporting and aligning efforts to meet customer and business needs; and building commitment for perspectives and rationales.

Provides and supports the implementation of business solutions by building relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders; identifying business needs; determining and carrying out necessary processes and practices; monitoring progress and results; recognizing and capitalizing on improvement opportunities; and adapting to competing demands, organizational changes, and new responsibilities.

Models compliance with company policies and procedures and supports company mission, values, and standards of ethics and integrity by incorporating these into the development and implementation of business plans; using the Open Door Policy; and demonstrating and assisting others with how to apply these in executing business processes and practices.

Live our Values

Culture Champion

• Models the Walmart values to foster our culture; holds oneself accountable; and supports Walmart’s commitment to communities, social justice, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability; maintains and promotes the highest standards of integrity, ethics and compliance.

Servant Leadership

• Is consistently humble, self-aware, honest, and transparent.

Embrace Change

Curiosity & Courage

• Demonstrates curiosity and a growth mindset; supports innovation and intelligent risk-taking; and exhibits resilience in the face of setbacks.

Digital Transformation & Change

• Implements and supports continuous improvements and willingly embraces new digital tools and ways of working.

Deliver for the Customer

Customer Focus

• Delivers results while putting the customer first and applying an omnimerchant mindset and the EDLP and EDLC business models to all plans.

Strategic Thinking

• Adopts a broad perspective that considers data, analytics, customer insights, and different parts of the business when making plans.

Focus on our Associates

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Embraces diversity in all its forms and actively supports diversity of ideas and perspectives, as well as diversity goal programs.

Collaboration & Influence

• Builds strong and trusting relationships with team members and business partners; works collaboratively to achieve objectives; communicates with

impact to a range of audiences; and demonstrates energy and positivity for own work.

Talent Management

• Contributes to an environment allowing everyone to bring their best selves to work, demonstrates engagement and commitment to the team, and recognizes others’

contributions and accomplishments.

Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

As permitted by applicable law, provide evidence of full vaccination as defined by CDC guidelines OR secure approval of medical or religious accommodation for the vaccination mandate., Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field and 2 years’ experience in retail, merchandising, forecasting, or related area. OR 4 years’ experience in retail, merchandising, forecasting, or related area.

Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Negotiating terms and costing, Retail Link, SupervisoryMasters: Marketing

Primary Location...

702 SW 8TH ST, BENTONVILLE, AR 72716, United States of America