Retail Planner, Senior

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment · Orlando

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SeaWorld is a world-renowned leader in the themed-park and entertainment industry. Our success is built on a passion for caring for animals and a dedication to delivering positive, memorable experiences to people from around the world. Were also committed to helping ambitious people achieve their professional best. We're always seeking exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join our team.

What you get to do:

As a Senior Retail Planner, you will be responsible for strategizing, planning, forecasting, and analyzing annual sales across all product divisions. Your goal is to ensure optimal inventory levels, maximize inventory turns, and achieve gross margin targets through effective inventory management. You will identify opportunities to drive sales, improve profitability, and optimize inventory levels while collaborating with cross-functional teams, including business leaders, Product Development, and Park Product Activation Managers.

• Develop and execute merchandise assortment plans, financial forecasts, and inventory strategies in partnership with park teams and retail merchants.
• Manage sales, inventory turn, gross margin, and receipt flow planning by department and class to meet financial objectives.
• Partner with Product Development and Parks teams to determine order quantities by style, size, and color, ensuring alignment with open-to-buy plans and markdown strategies.
• Oversee inventory management and open-to-buy processes to optimize stock levels and sales performance.
• Prepare and participate in Merchandise Review Meetings, providing data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Analyze historical sales data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities, driving strategies to increase revenue and improve margin performance.
• Develop SKU lifecycle strategies, managing slow-moving inventory and implementing exit plans in collaboration with Product Development and Parks teams.
• Maintain and adjust line plans based on real-time business trends, ensuring contingency plans are in place to drive sales and profit objectives.
• Establish SKU targets and in-stock ratios to maintain optimal product availability across divisions.
• Create and distribute key inventory reports to internal stakeholders, ensuring consistency and accuracy of information.
• Support product pricing strategies through data-driven risk/benefit analysis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What it takes to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, or product development/buying within Theme Parks, Specialty Retail, High-Profile Retail Organizations, or the Consumer Products industry.
• Expertise in demand planning methodologies and forecasting models.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strong analytical ability to assess data and drive pricing strategies to maximize gross margins.
• Ability to think critically and strategically to evaluate and optimize inventory management decisions.
• Strong problem-solving skills to navigate complex challenges in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Ability to influence key stakeholders and align cross-functional teams toward shared business goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey insights and recommendations.
• Ability to develop and present data-driven content to multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across teams.
• Proven ability to multitask and adapt to changing business needs.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiation within a large corporate environment.
• High level of dependability, initiative, and independence in executing tasks and projects.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

The perks of the position:

• Paid Time Off
• Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
• Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K Retirement plan
• Voluntary Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal Assistance Plan

EEO Employer:

SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.

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