ALLOCATION ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

Stockouts on a promotional weekend and overstock sitting past its sell-through window are two sides of the same planning failure - both land on the Allocation Analyst. This role owns the distribution of merchandise across a store fleet, translating buying and planning direction into unit-level decisions that determine what product reaches which location and when. It operates within the merchandise planning function, partnering daily with Buyers, Merchandise Planners, and distribution center teams. Retail math fluency - weeks of supply, sell-through rate, inventory turn - is the operating language here.

As the Allocation Analyst, you are accountable for optimizing inventory placement across store and digital channels by executing initial allocations, managing replenishment, and reacting to in-season selling trends to protect sales and margin targets. You will work within the merchandise planning team, collaborating closely with Buyers and Planners while reporting to the Merchandise Planning Manager or Allocation Manager.

Career Impact: Hands-on ownership of store-level inventory decisions in apparel or footwear retail builds measurable expertise in retail KPIs - sell-through, weeks of supply, inventory turn - that is directly transferable to senior Merchandise Planner or Allocation Manager roles.

Business Impact: The accuracy of each allocation decision affects whether a store fleet meets its sales plan, making this role a direct contributor to gross margin outcomes across every department you manage.

Growth Opportunity: Experience managing replenishment strategy and size selling analysis across a multi-door fleet creates a well-defined path toward Senior Allocation Analyst, where regional scope and mentorship responsibilities expand the role significantly.

• Manage replenishment and initial allocation by store to optimize sales, margin, and inventory turn across assigned departments.
• Analyze in-season selling trends at the size and store level to identify risks and recommend corrective inventory actions.
• Partner with Buyers and Merchandise Planners to define assortment plans, allocation strategies, and presentation minimums for new and existing product.
• Review projected inventory positions weekly and flag deficiencies, out-of-stock risks, and chase opportunities to planning leadership.
• Coordinate product flow from purchase order through distribution center receipt to ensure on-time arrival for floorsets and promotional events.
• Monitor store inventory levels against capacity and seasonal selling curves to identify consolidation or transfer needs.
• Support new and remodeled store openings by building opening assortments and tracking performance against plan.
• Facilitate weekly trading or sales meetings by preparing allocation recaps and sell-through analysis for cross-functional partners.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, or Supply Chain, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of retail allocation or inventory management experience, with exposure to replenishment methods and retail math concepts.
• Demonstrated understanding of inventory productivity measures, including weeks of supply, sell-through percentage, inventory turn, and stock-to-sales ratio.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret large data sets and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet tools, including advanced functions such as VLOOKUP and pivot tables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present findings clearly to Buyers, Planners, and senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and deliver accurate work within deadline-driven timelines.
• Collaborative working style with a high degree of accountability and attention to detail.

• Experience in the apparel or footwear industry, including familiarity with seasonal buying calendars and open-to-buy planning.
• Prior exposure to demand and supply planning information systems used in multi-channel retail environments.
• Background in size selling analysis and pre-season store tiering or clustering methodologies.
• Experience supporting new store opening processes or omni-channel inventory allocation across boutique, online, and concession channels.

• Weekly in-stock rate by store and department, reflecting allocation accuracy against plan.
• Sell-through percentage by style and location, measuring how well inventory placed matches actual demand.
• Weeks of supply by category, tracking whether replenishment timing aligns with selling velocity.
• Fill rate against purchase orders, indicating how completely allocated inventory is fulfilled by the distribution center.
• On-time delivery rate for new store openings and floorset events, measuring execution against critical date commitments.
• Typical tools: Spreadsheet and data analysis platforms (commonly Excel or Google Sheets); Allocation and replenishment systems (commonly JDA Allocation or similar retail allocation platforms)

• Base Salary Range: $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary
• Equity: not typical at this level in retail; may apply at larger public retailers
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage, employer contribution varies by company
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US public holidays
• Common Perks: employee merchandise discount, 401(k) with employer match, paid parental leave at larger retailers

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Allocation Analyst owns replenishment and inventory distribution across stores, managing weekly reporting, floorset coordination, and inventory chase opportunities to keep stock-to-sales ratios on target. Working closely with store teams, leadership, and IT partners, this role shapes the flow of product from distribution centers to store shelves and drives forward-looking business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage replenishment to stores to maintain an appropriate stock-to-sales ratio.
• Coordinate and execute the distribution of new product assortments utilizing merchandise plans and product strategies.
• Create, run, and maintain various weekly reports to analyze and understand sales trends, communicate findings, and proactively drive the business forward.
• Analyze and react to selling, manage-up findings, and propose a plan of action.
• Make weekly call-outs regarding inventory levels at the store and in the distribution center, and partner with the team on out-of-stocks.
• Communicate necessary information to your team and leadership, sharing wins and proposing solutions to challenges.
• Manage allocation of opening assortment as well as replenishment to new stores, monitoring performance, and taking appropriate actions to support their business.
• Monitor the delivery of inbound product to the distribution center and communicate issues that will impact the floorset.
• Partner cross-functionally to plan and execute floorset activities.
• Analyze and manage inventory chase opportunities across the total company inventory to support growing programs and initiatives.
• Partner with the IT team to resolve system issues, check status, track follow-up, and push for resolution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience.
• 1-2+ years of experience in a retail allocation role, including experience with advanced allocation and replenishment methods.
• Strong retail math acumen, including elements of inventory productivity measures such as WOH, S/T, and Builds.
• Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting large amounts of data with the ability to synthesize information and translate it into effective and actionable insights.
• Ability to clearly and concisely identify and summarize complex problems or issues, identify, implement, and hindsight solutions.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of supply chain.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to present information in a clear, concise, and complete manner to various levels of peers and leadership.
• Self-starter with a creative, enthusiastic, innovative, and collaborative attitude.
• Sense of urgency and accuracy with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results within timelines.

Embedded within a cross-functional, global organization, the Allocation Analyst delivers data-driven recommendations to management that improve order book visibility, profitability, and inventory performance across multiple regions and functions. Working closely with stakeholders in sales, account operations, and distribution, this role builds the collaborative partnerships and process integrity needed to achieve customer coverage and financial goals.

Core Functions

Analyze data and make recommendations to management to provide visibility of the overall order book and to achieve profitability, customer coverage and inventory goals.

• Establish collaborative partnerships with all key stakeholders, including sales, account operations, and distribution.
• Execute work that supports a cross-functional, global vision, considering how work impacts business across multiple regions and functions.
• Manage multiple tasks and timelines while completing work with accuracy and consistency.
• Generate creative ideas to solve problems and improve work processes.
• Build constructive and effective relationships, be flexible in a variety of situations, and show openness to receiving feedback.
• Use resources wisely while following documented operational procedures.
• Practice highly skilled honesty and integrity procedures, including celebrating team and employee accomplishments, helping with conflict resolution and supporting the team through consistent work and actions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain Management or equivalent work experience.
• 1-2 years of professional experience analyzing and interpreting customer or consumer trends, with experience in Supply Chain Management, planning or the apparel or footwear industry desired.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to understand and translate moderately technical concepts verbally and in writing.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets, charts and pivot tables using functions such as SUMIF, VLOOKUP and similar.
• SAP and Power BI experience desired.
• Experience using information systems associated with demand and supply planning.
• Active listening skills with the ability to inform others about information related to their work.
• International business experience and previous work with other cultures in a business setting desired.

Reporting to the Allocation Manager, the Allocation Analyst facilitates and executes inventory distribution analysis across all sales channels for a specified time horizon, supporting risk assessment on sales plan gaps and driving process improvements in accuracy and speed. Partnering with Visual Merchandising, Merchandising, Planners, and Marketing, this role enables the retail channel to meet performance targets and resolve supply and fill rate challenges before they impact the business.

Primary Duties

• Facilitate and execute the allocation analysis to distribute inventory to all sales channels for a specified time horizon.
• Review and assess risk on sales plan gaps based on allocated inventory to sales channels.
• Facilitate weekly buy-in with planning on allocation changes, reasons, and impact.
• Assist Sr. Allocation Analysts and Allocation Manager in resolving exceptions.
• Drive improvements to the allocation process in both accuracy and speed to better support channels.
• Review financial implications of changes in supply week over week within the allocation analysis.
• Review projected inventory and identify deficiencies with planning and allocation to resolve.
• Review fill rate discrepancies and identify resolution paths.
• Coordinate cross-functional escalations necessary to resolve issues or exceptions.
• Drive collaboration with Visual Merchandising, Merchandising, Planners, and Marketing.
• Escalate related forecasting or logistics issues that impact allocation planning.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of wholesale or retail apparel allocation and inventory management experience.
• Solid understanding of financial measurements, including sales, gross margin, inventory turn, ST%, weeks of supply and how to impact them.
• Expertise in retail math.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent analytical and strong problem-solving skills.
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities with the ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Strong listening, written, and communication skills with excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with peers and cross-functional teams.

Sitting at the intersection of buying and planning, the Allocation Analyst manages the daily execution of initial and replenishment allocation by store to optimize sales, margin, and inventory turn for both new and existing product. Operating across Buyers, Planners, and distribution center partners, this role ensures stores are stocked to support promotional events, new openings, and ongoing replenishment with the right inventory at the right time.

Dutie

• Manage the daily execution of initial and replenishment allocation by store to optimize sales, margin and inventory turn.
• Communicate with Buyers and Planners on a regular basis regarding all issues related to replenishment or inventory allocation.
• Ensure planned new and remodeled stores are opened and maintained with sufficient inventory levels.
• Work closely with Planners and Buyers to define allocation strategies, assortment plans, and initial inventory levels.
• Validate presentation minimums to ensure enough inventory is available to support planned events, including promotions, catalog and print marketing efforts, specific store needs, and floor placements.
• Ensure timely flow of orders through the company from the allocation of product, through the receipt of goods to the warehouse, movement through the distribution center, and timely receipt onto the store shelves.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• 2-4 years of related retail experience.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Highly proficient in Excel.
• Knowledge of MicroStrategy reporting.
• Excellent listening and communication skills with a positive and strong sense of collaborative interpersonal style.
• Ability to effectively multi-task, prioritize and adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

A key member of the Planning and Buying team, the Allocation Analyst maximizes store business by location through the execution of allocation strategies grounded in sales analysis and established business criteria. Collaborating across Buyers, Planners, and Location Planning, this entry level role reports to the Merchandise Planner and directly supports purchase order accuracy and timely product flow decisions.

Functions

• Maximize business by location through the execution of allocation strategies in collaboration with Planning and Buying.
• Utilize company-supported tools to develop a thorough understanding of business within a specific area of responsibility.
• Allocate purchase orders promptly based on buying and planning direction and knowledge of product flow to drive decisions.
• Review purchase orders and communicate recommended changes and or exceptions to support quality allocations.
• Assist the Merchandise Planner with day-to-day tasks and special projects as assigned.
• Communicate and partner with Buyer, Planner, and Location Planning on an ongoing basis.

Position Requirements

• A college degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or Retail field preferred.
• Previous work-related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Team player with strong collaboration skills and a positive, self-motivated attitude.

Inventory productivity across the full merchandise lifecycle depends on the Allocation Analyst, who manages initial allocations, weekly reorders, and transfers while performing size-store-level analysis to drive profitable sales and margin. Based within the planning and merchandising teams, this role partners across store operations and distribution to align inventory capacity with sales expectations and deliver accurate, timely product flow.

Accountabilities

• Manage inventory from initial allocation through the end of the merchandise lifecycle, including replenishment, transfers, and consolidations.
• Perform independent analysis of product performance at the size store level and recommend courses of action to drive profitable sales.
• Assist in managing store inventory levels to align with capacity and sales expectations.
• Partner with planning, merchandising, and store teams to implement allocation strategies based on assortment vision and store-specific needs.
• Monitor and communicate delivery status to cross-functional partners.
• Participate in weekly sales meetings.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Merchandising, or related field.
• 1+ year of planning, allocation, or inventory management experience.
• High level of experience and proficiency in Excel.
• Mathematical proficiency with strong business and financial acumen.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate across all levels of management.
• Strong sense of teamwork with a high degree of accountability and attention to detail.
• Ability to flex across shifting priorities with a strong sense of urgency and accuracy.

As the Allocation Analyst, this role manages the timely allocation of Closeouts, Never-Outs, In and Outs, and Reverse Logistics products to stores, ensuring sales plans are achieved and inventory utilization is maximized across the full product mix. The Planning, Retail, Analytics, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams rely on this work to maintain inventory flow accuracy, exploit sales and margin opportunities, and sustain effective allocation strategies through ongoing reporting and store visits.

Role Responsibilities

• Check upcoming deliveries to ensure the profiles and allocations are set correctly with the allocation system.
• Review the distribution center's available inventory to ensure merchandise is available and flowing to stores.
• Actively manage the business by identifying opportunities to exploit sales and margin opportunities.
• Partner with buyers and merchandise planners to develop execution tactics.
• Review the effectiveness of allocation strategies and results through review of reporting, analytics, and store visits.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated strong retail math skills and strong analytical skills.
• System-savvy with spreadsheet, word processing, and data analysis tools.
• Replenishment experience a plus.

Allocation Analyst shapes stock allocation and merchandise monitoring processes to ensure the right product reaches the right channel - boutique, online, or concession - at the right time, directly supporting sales target achievement and future stock strategy. Success in the position means delivering weekly trading meeting analysis, managing aging inventory, and partnering with the Merchandise Planning Manager to build plans that sustain growth in the luxury fashion market.

What You'll Do

• Manage the processes and workflow regarding stock allocation and merchandise monitoring to ensure allocation of the right stock, at the right time, in the right place.
• Assist the Merchandise Planning Manager with all allocation and merchandise-related processes, including allocations and reports for boutique, online, and concession channels.
• Facilitate the weekly trading meetings by providing analysis and recommendations to achieve sales and stock targets for each department.
• Identify and manage slow or aging inventory and opportunities to improve sell-through.
• Monitor allocations performance using retail trading mentality to understand grading, climates, and other factors for optimum merchandising.
• Work with the Merchandise Planning Manager around current stock holdings and develop a strategy for future stock plans.
• Focus on achieving business sales targets and supporting the implementation of the business strategy.
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Minimum Qualifications

• 1-2 years of relevant experience in a similar role in luxury fashion.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and advanced communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Exposure to Apparel21, Excel, or similar preferred.
• Team player who works proactively, uses initiative, and establishes effective relationships with all colleagues.
• Ability to work under pressure in a responsible and highly organized manner.

The Allocation Analyst owns in-season allocation strategy and store flow planning for Mexico, managing article-level flow plans across BH and FH locations while mentoring Allocation Analysts and fostering best-in-class replenishment practices. Working closely with merchandising, planning, supply chain, and field management teams, this role delivers store inventory expertise that informs strategic roadmaps and strengthens financial store planning outcomes across the Americas.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an allocation strategy to improve the in-stock level and increase conversion.
• Measure and report on allocation accuracy and in-stock progress to Americas Allocation leadership.
• Lead aspects of size selling and size management for Mexico, including analysis, development of approach and tools, execution, publication, and hindsight to inform in-season adjustments and future season investments.
• Forecast in-season sales, receipts, and inventory flow and inform planning and merchandising of trends and revenue opportunities or risks.
• Develop and provide store flow forecasts to the supply chain for DH, transportation, and logistics planning.
• Manage article-level flow plans to identify and react to trends to ensure that product vision and plan are executed through optimized store allocation across BH and FH locations across Mexico.
• Provide support to the Lead, Canada and Mexico Allocation, to build the strategic roadmap for financial store planning in conjunction with business planning counterparts.
• Lead initiatives to enhance current procedures and systems for allocation and replenishment, and establish best practices.
• Communicate store opportunities to cross-functional retail teams, including merchandising, planning, store operations, and field management.
• Monitor weekly business execution to ensure excellence in allocation and replenishment, and provide direction and feedback to Allocation Analysts as needed.
• Foster and develop advanced analytical skills at the Allocator level, helping the team learn to manage-up findings and propose action plans.
• Mentor and train Allocation Analysts by developing best practices and establishing a training program.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field.
• 3-5 years of retail allocation experience, including experience with advanced allocation and replenishment methods.
• Prior Buying or Merchandise Planning experience helpful.
• Proven analytical skills and strong understanding of retail math concepts and financial acumen, including inventory productivity measures such as W.O.H., W.O.S, sell-through, builds, and in-stock rates.
• Strong background in allocation systems.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to present information in a clear, concise, and complete manner.
• Self-starter with a creative, enthusiastic, innovative, and collaborative attitude with the ability to manage through conflict resolution and adapt to changing business needs.
• Ability to lead a project, influence non-direct reports, and proactively problem-solve and recommend solutions to various stakeholders.

Reporting to the planning and merchandising leadership, the Allocation Analyst produces pre-season and in-season allocation strategies across a fleet of retail stores, managing inventory from initial allocation through end of life cycle while performing size selling analysis to optimize depth and assortment. Partnering with Merchandise Planners, Merchants, and distribution teams, this role advances responsive and proactive inventory strategies that protect sales, margin, and on-shelf availability across all store locations.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Manage inventory from initial allocation through the end of the life cycle of merchandise, including replenishment and consolidation of goods to other stores or channels.
• Manage overall store inventory levels based on store capacity, seasonality, and selling curves.
• Create and implement allocation, consolidation, and inventory sell-down strategies.
• Partner with stores to understand store-specific allocation needs to create store attributes and clusters.
• Complete and share weekly business recaps with the team and cross-functional partners.
• Track and communicate delivery status to cross-functional members with action plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 1-3 years of Allocation Planning experience or relevant financial or field experience, with preference for experience in JDA Allocation.
• Clear understanding of financial measurements and retail KPIs, including sales, gross margin, weeks of supply, inventory turn, and sell-through, and how to impact them.
• Strong interpersonal communication.
• Ability to negotiate with and influence peers, members of a cross-functional team, and management.
• Strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work on multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Team focused, confident, and professional with the ability to effectively receive and communicate feedback.

Embedded within a highly collaborative sales and operations environment, the Allocation Analyst refines order management and inventory distribution processes across multiple channels, including phone, email, fax, and EDI, while managing logistics tenders and ERP implementation work with extreme attention to detail. Working closely with external distribution partners, 3rd party warehouses, and the internal operations team, this role ensures finished goods warehouse transfers, wholesaler inventory levels, and outbound shipments are optimized to maximize sales and minimize out-of-stock risk.

Operational Focus

• Review daily orders received through multiple channels, including phone, email, fax, and EDI.
• Develop strong relationships with customers and the sales team.
• Communicate order confirmations, changes, and new product news to all relevant parties.
• Efficiently and accurately manage transfer and order transaction documentation and reporting.
• Manage inventory levels across warehousing locations with a focus on optimizing inventory turnover.
• Monitor and analyze wholesaler inventory levels and production plans to maximize sales.
• Allocate limited inventory during peak seasons to minimize out-of-stock risks and support sales programming.
• Manage, tender to logistics and freight partners for outbound shipments.
• Work on the ERP implementation team, specifically around the design and setup of order processing and warehouse transactions.

Technical Qualifications

• 1-3 years of inventory allocation, customer service, logistics, or procurement experience.
• 1 year of experience plus a degree in Supply Chain Management or similar.
• Knowledge of freight logistics, inventory management, and cost savings.
• Understanding of basic accounting and financial impacts.
• Google Sheets and or Excel proficiency.
• ERP experience or interest in ERP implementation and or system logic design.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous environment.

Sitting at the intersection of merchandising strategy and store execution, the Allocation Analyst oversees assortment plan execution at the department level, continuously analyzing and managing inventory levels to drive sales and margin across a store fleet. Operating across the Retail Field, Merchants, and DC partners, this role ensures products arrive on time for new store openings, events, and window campaigns while aligning allocation strategies with cross-functional planning priorities.

Areas of Ownership

• Develop thorough knowledge of store, district, and regional level performance through extensive data analysis.
• Effectively utilize appropriate allocation strategies to impact the financial success of selected departments.
• Continuously analyze and manage inventory levels to drive sales and margin.
• Track shipments to stores to ensure the timely delivery of all goods.
• Monitor stocks by category of business by store to identify capacity issues.
• Partner with operations, the merchant team, and the DC to ensure that the product is at the right place at the right time.
• Meet product arrival expectations for new store openings, events, and window campaigns.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent years of relevant experience.
• 1-2 years of retail experience, preferably in the footwear or apparel industry.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, including VLOOKUP and pivot tables.
• Strong organization, analytical, and planning skills.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders.

A key member of the WM Front Business finance team, the Allocation Analyst delivers transparency on cost allocations to Senior Management and Divisional Finance, collaborating with financial experts across Wealth Management, Group Finance, and Corporate Functions in Switzerland, USA, and APAC. Collaborating across geographies and functions, this role builds deep SME ownership of dedicated cost types to support accurate reporting, forecasting, and budgeting at the highest levels of the organization.

Key Deliverables

• Provide transparency on cost allocations to Senior Management of WM Front Business and Divisional Finance.
• Closely cooperate with a variety of financial experts across functions, including Wealth Management, Group Finance, other Divisions, and Corporate Functions of the Bank across geographical locations, including Switzerland, the USA, and APAC.
• Analyze and challenge external allocations to assess potential improvements and cost savings.
• Cooperate with other team members to ensure the highest level of service in areas such as reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Become the SME and primary point of contact for a dedicated cost type and process over time.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or other related fields.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in Finance, Accounting, or Accounts Payable.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and analytical skills with a flair for data, numbers, and figures, demonstrating outstanding attention to detail.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in English.
• Ability to manage, prioritize tasks, and organize work effectively with proven ability to manage work well under pressure.
• Dedication to problem-solving, willingness to take initiative, and dedication to fostering an inclusive culture and valuing diverse perspectives.

Reporting to the Merchandise Planning Manager, the Allocation Analyst collaborates with Product Managers each season to align buying decisions with allocation strategy, managing merchandise allocation, Distribution Centre inventory, and P&A system accuracy to maximize store performance and omni-channel results. Partnering with departments across buying, planning, and distribution, this role ensures stores and redeveloped locations are incorporated into inventory plans and that reporting accuracy supports sound business decisions.

Scope of Work

• Collaborate with Product Managers before each season to understand strategy and market, and to integrate buying decisions with the allocation strategy.
• Allocate merchandise based on performance and adjust inventory plans accordingly.
• Interact with different departments to integrate buying and planning with distribution strategies.
• Monitor the Distribution Centre inventory and ensure efficiency, analyze and maximize store performance, and omnichannel.
• Anticipate needs based on upcoming promotions.
• Ensure new and redeveloped stores are incorporated in the P&A system.
• Create and maintain all necessary information in systems and ensure accuracy of reports.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Commerce or College diploma in Commerce or Fashion Marketing.
• Minimum 1 year of related experience.
• Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into easy-to-action information that drives results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Bilingual in French and English.
• Able to use logic and methods to solve problems with effective solutions and demonstrate good listening skills, written and oral communication skills.

The Allocation Analyst coordinates the allocation of new merchandise to stores and the construction of seasonal assortment and quantification plans, using sales trend analysis and end-of-season recaps to recommend repeat orders and set up future seasons. The work directly supports inventory liquidation, product compliance, and the data entry accuracy needed to keep the merchandising system current and aligned with store-level demand.

Job Functions

• Allocate new merchandise to stores.
• Analyze sales trends to recommend repeat orders.
• Liaise with stores for inventory issues.
• Enter data into the merchandising system.
• Manage samples and ensure compliance of products.
• Communicate with stores in order to maximize the liquidation of products.
• Create assortment plans for seasonal merchandise by store.
• Build end-of-season recaps divided by product and store categories.
• Construct quantification plans in order to set up future seasons.

Experience and Qualifications

• A college or Bachelor's degree in Fashion or Commerce.
• 1-2 years of retail management experience.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Excel skills required, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP formulas.
• Knowledge of different software, such as SAP, is an asset.
• Excellent communication skills.