Merchandise Planner - Bakery jobs in Medford, OR

The Merchandise Manager, Bakery is market facing and has P&L responsibility for sales, gross profit and gross margin, and balance sheet responsibility for finished goods inventory. Within the Merchandising division the Merchandise Manager, Bakery has primary responsibility for customer satisfaction and brand building strategies for this product category, as well as the Wolferman's Bakery brand. Among their reporting duties are the following: competitive intelligence, assortment planning, product pricing, budgeting, and forecasting, inventory planning, coordination with marketing and sales initiatives.

• Identify and execute strategies to drive sales and profits through detailed analysis.
• Conduct competitive analysis and utilize information to inform business strategy.
• Develop and maintain an assortment strategy to achieve budgeted goals in revenue, sales, margin, supply chain impact, and drive execution of plan.
• Source product from external vendors to support category growth.
• Ensure company and vendor deadlines are met through timely communication.
• Achieve the sales and GM budget through optimizing assortment, pricing, promotion and strategy.
• Manage and execute to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) of the business plan in conjunction with your business partners.
• Partner with Marketing, Creative Services, Inventory Management and Store Operations in executing plans that meet corporate objectives and consumer needs.

• Track and evaluate expiring merchandise through coordination efforts with inventory planning; prepare recommendations for appropriate action to resolve immediate issues and eliminate expiring product in the future.
• Partner with inventory planning team to assure that products are delivered in a timely manner to minimize out of stocks and lost sales.

• Manage direct report expectations through strong communication and organization skills.
• Strong communication skills, ability to multi-task and manage to a deadline are required.
• Maintain current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, and new developments in purchasing, and supply chain.
• Update job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising, Business or a related field is recommended.
• Must have 5 years directly related experience as a merchant, buyer, or associate buyer with an understanding of merchandising principles.
• Experience in gourmet food, gifting and luxury goods is desired.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully growing a business by developing and executing plans with trend right product.
• Previous team development and leadership experience required.
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills required, particularly in excel and power point.
• Strong presentation skills required. Must be comfortable speaking to large groups of people and with all levels of management.

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