DIRECTOR OF MERCHANDISE PLANNING SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Mai 27, 2025 - The Director of Merchandise Planning excels in leading teams and managing inventory across Retail, eCommerce, and Wholesale channels. Demonstrates expertise in pre-season strategy, Open to Buy processes, and data-driven decision-making to optimize operations. Combines analytical skills with strong communication to drive scalable solutions and process improvements.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Director of Merchandise Planning Resume
  • Inventory Management
  • Financial Forecasting
  • Data Analysis
  • Merchandise Planning
  • Open-to-Buy Process
  • S&OP Meetings
  • Pre-Season Strategy
  • SKU Rationalization
  • Supply Chain Optimization
  • Distribution Management
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Decision Making
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Process Improvement
  • Time Management

Summary of Director of Merchandise Planning Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BA in Supply Chain Management with 10 Years of Experience

  • Experience involving sales and inventory planning, sales forecasting, and OTB
  • Prior supervisory experience
  • Store class planning experience
  • Demonstrated decision-making abilities
  • Demonstrated leadership abilities
  • Have the ability to partner and influence
  • Highly effective written/verbal communication and collaborative skills
  • Strong analytical and conceptual skills
  • Strong retail and math skills
  • Thorough knowledge of planning systems, Arthur Planning

2. BA in Business Administration with 8 Years of Experience

  • Experience in a planning function, preferably in Retail
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills
  • Proficient with MS Excel, merchandise planning systems, and data management systems.
  • Strong communication skills including the ability to work in a team environment, give honest, direct feedback and be a solid verbal and written communicator.
  • Strong organizational skills, motivated, and meets deadlines
  • Strong ability to work with multi-functional partners
  • Experienced team leader with exceptional people management skills who has exceptional analytical, communication, and influencing skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across the organization

3. BA in Economics with 12 Years of Experience

  • Merchandise planning or other relevant experience
  • Are a self-starter, solution-oriented, and results-focused
  • Have strong communication skills, a gifted wordsmith, and am a talented orator
  • Strong leader with a proven track record in management 
  • Attention to detail, while maintaining the ability
  • Flexible and comfortable with a fast paced, always changing environment
  • Convey a can-do, positive attitude towards tackling problems
  • Are able to see other points-of-view while maintaining confident direction
  • Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and Google docs.

4. BA in Marketing with 7 Years of Experience

  • Experience in retail planning and allocation or buying capacity, preferably with a multi-channel retailer.
  • Experience managing and leading a team
  • Deep understanding of Inventory Management principles and systems in any or all Retail, eCommerce, and Wholesale
  • Deep knowledge of distribution, transportation, and supplier manufacturing principles
  • Ability to operate and thrive both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast paced environment.
  • Excellent business judgment, with the ability to dive in and quickly understand the root cause and identify scalable solutions.
  • Have led or have been a key participant in Open to Buy or SandOP process and meetings
  • Experience leading, defining, and executing pre-season strategy
  • Able to navigate complex issues where analysis of situations requires data and an in-depth evaluation of multiple variable factors
  • Superior analytical skills and can interpret meaningful themes and trends from quantitative data.
  • Able to find efficiencies and improvements to make existing processes more successful.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and can work effectively with the entire team including merchandising, operations, and customer service
  • Able to collect, analyze, package and present information to stakeholders in a way that permits them to make an informed decision and take measurable action
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