General Summary

The Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for developing and executing merchandise financial plans that support the Company's sales, margin, and inventory objectives. This role partners closely with Merchandising leadership to provide financial analysis, strategic recommendations, and inventory planning that drive profitable growth. The Merchandise Planning Manager leads a team of Merchandise Planners, providing coaching, development, and oversight while ensuring consistent execution of merchandise planning processes and alignment with company objectives.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Merchandise Planning Managers provide leadership, training, and direction to Merchandise Planners while serving as subject matter experts for merchandise planning processes. In partnership with Merchandising leadership, they develop financial strategies, manage inventory investments, identify business opportunities, and ensure execution of planning activities that support company goals.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Merchandise Planners.
• Inspire the team to achieve company and category objectives.
• Model Company values and leadership behaviors.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and results-driven culture.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve processes and planning effectiveness.
• Manage team performance, training, succession planning, and talent development.
• Support recruiting, hiring, and retention efforts.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process to ensure inventory investments align with financial plans.
• Develop and manage pre-season and in-season sales, margin, inventory, and purchase plans.
• Analyze financial performance to identify risks, opportunities, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Review historical trends and financial targets to support assortment planning decisions.
• Oversee markdown planning and recommend strategies to optimize inventory productivity and profitability.
• Monitor sales, margin, inventory, and forecasting performance, adjusting plans as business conditions change.
• Partner with Buyers, Allocators, Replenishment Buyers, and senior leadership to execute financial plans.
• Lead weekly business reviews and communicate financial performance, key risks, and action plans.
• Ensure planning activities are completed accurately and within established timelines.

Business Partnership & Strategy

• Partner with Merchandising leadership to develop category strategies that support sales and profitability goals.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to influence key merchandising decisions.
• Champion best practices and continuous improvement across merchandise planning processes.

Position Requirements

• Experience using merchandise planning and retail ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle Retail, Blue Yonder, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to develop financial plans, sales forecasts, inventory strategies, and Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans.
• Strong knowledge of retail financial metrics, including sales, margin, inventory turnover, GMROI, and markdown optimization.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across Merchandising, Buying, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional partners and support executive decision-making.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Three (3) or more years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, retail merchandising, or a related analytical role.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and communicate financial results.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and team-building skills.

Projected Salary Range

$105,000–$118,500

Family Dollar is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made without regard to any protected status. Family Dollar is also committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.