The Merchandise Planner is responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels that support baseline and promotional sales, as well as corporate initiatives and activities, while achieving inventory in-stocks, turns, and financial goals.  The Merchandise Planner will achieve this by working closely with his/her Merchant partner(s) and by using a sound business strategy that will balance opportunity vs investment.   This position plays a pivotal role between the merchant team, the vendor community and other internal teams that support store execution. The successful candidate in this role will pay very high attention to detail and will be a flexible, logical thinker that is results driven.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the management of the Open to Buy for area of scope, appropriately allocating spend to drive sales and customer growth.
• Effectively maintain and manage the appropriate in-stock positions and inventory across the individual’s designated categories
• Own receipts forecasts for accurate replenishment and quickly adjust to support trends, priorities, and business needs
• Effectively balance owned brands vs. third party inventory levels based on promotional activity, availability, cost opportunity, and category strategies
• Communicate observed trends, risks, opportunities, and recommend associated actions
• Synthesize large amounts of raw data, package in a simplistic manner, and provide findings to cross-functional partners
• Closely collaborate with cross-functional partners on new item launches, category refreshes, and end to end lifecycle management
• Responsible for purchase order issuance and management
• Responsible for developing and issuing reporting and initiative tracking and scorecards
• Build and foster cross functional partnerships with the following teams: Merchandising, Analytics, Pricing & Promotions, Supply Chain, Private Brands, Commercialization, Finance, and Operations

Skill and Ability:                                         

• Strong working knowledge of Excel
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding organizational skills with superior attention to detail
• Ability to influence business partners and drive results
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for all tasks and projects
• Working knowledge of SQL is not necessary, but is a plus
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Possess agility, can shift between projects without a loss of overall quality.
• Working knowledge of RELEX or other planning applications is preferred, but not required

Education/Certification:  

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent combination of intellectual instruction and work experience
• 2+ years professional experience

Equal Opportunity Policy

The Vitamin Shoppe is an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, separation, recruitment, pay and other forms of compensation, access to facilities and programs, training and general treatment during employment.

We firmly believe that every Health Enthusiast has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is to maintain a satisfied and productive team of Health Enthusiasts. The keys to reaching that goal are effective leadership, equal application of fair human resources policies, competitive wages and benefits, and close attention to all health enthusiast matters. The Vitamin Shoppe is committed to the principle of fair and impartial treatment of our Health Enthusiasts.

Health Enthusiasts with questions or concerns about equal employment opportunities in the workplace are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of their Human Resources representative.  We will not allow any form of retaliation against Health Enthusiasts who raise issues of perceived discrimination in good faith.  To ensure our workplace is free of artificial barriers, violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.