Merchandise Planner

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

General Summary

The Merchandise Planner is responsible for developing financial sales, gross margin, and inventory plans for both pre-season and in-season periods. This role collaborates with the Buying & Merchandising team to implement local assortment strategies aimed at optimizing sales and profitability. Responsibilities include the creation, execution, and communication of financial, and inventory plans as well as providing analytical support to the Merchandising organization and periodic updates on business performance to executive leadership.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Forecasting and Planning: Review historical sales data and market trends to project future product demand and design merchandise plans aligned with sales and profit objectives.
• Inventory Management: Supervise inventory levels to ensure product availability while minimizing surplus stock and associated costs.
• OTB Management: Manage annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly merchandise plans.
• Data Analysis: Apply data analysis tools to evaluate consumer purchasing patterns and inform decisions regarding product selection and pricing.
• Reporting: Develop and deliver reports on sales and inventory results to management, offering objective insights and recommendations for potential adjustments.
• Lifecycle Management: Coordinate with buying and merchandising teams to establish preseason promotional and markdown strategies.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ensure customer service standards described in the HW&L policy manual are met.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Job Required Knowledge, Skills, and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years’ experience in merchandising, planning, buying, or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and share pertinent information to support decision-making.
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.
• Knowledge of retail mathematics and metrics relevant to financial reporting.
• Analytical skills to interpret quantitative and qualitative data objectively.
• Proficient presentation abilities suitable for varied audiences, including peers and executives.
• Process management skills, including the ability to organize and allocate resources to complete tasks efficiently.

Reports To

• VP of Planning

Physical/ Travel Requirements

• In order to perform the essential functions of this job, an employee must be able to meet the following physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle; or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception
• This position requires less than 10% travel
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings

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EEO Statement:
Hat World, Inc., Lids Holdings, Inc., dba Lids and subsidiaries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. Hat World, Inc., prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on the individual's race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other protected characteristic or class protected by law. Hat World, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation for disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

Notice to Applicants:
In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information that we collect include your name, government issued identification number(s), email address, mailing address, other contact information, emergency contact information, employment history, educational history, criminal record, and demographic information. We collect and use those categories of Personal Information about you for human resources and other business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating you as a candidate for potential or future employment or future contract positions, recordkeeping in relation to recruiting and hiring, conducting criminal background checks as permitted by law, conducting analytics, and ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements and Company policies.

Need accessibility assistance to apply?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application, please email us at onboardingsupport@lids.com. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address and is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.

Req ID: 19640 

Location: Corporate Office