Vice President, Merchandise Planning

About the job
POSITION: VP, Merchandise Planning
REPORTS TO: COO
LOCATION: New York Tri State, Los Angeles, CA or PA, (partial remote)
THE OPPORTUNITY: Vice President, Merchandise Planning
Birdy Grey is looking for a Vice President, Merchandise Planning to lead our Merchandising & Planning team. As our first VP, Merchandise Planner you will be responsible for creating and maintaining buy/financial plans, providing reports and analytics, projections, allocation & replenishment information, and financial analysis. This position sets the product and trend vision across all categories to collaboratively drive brand growth. This role will partner closely with General Management, Finance, Sourcing, Production, Product Development & Marketing.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own merchandise planning, demand planning, inventory management, allocation and replenishment, financial planning forecasting, and financial analysis across dress and non dress categories
• Responsible for the end-to-end product life-cycle for all categories and accountable for achieving sales, turn and margin targets across all product categories
• Validate bottoms-up plans & projections to ensure company sales, P&L, margin & inventory expectations are being met
• Collaborate with key stakeholders; influence and drive to consensus all short and long range merchandising strategies and objectives for the business
• Develop and build our annual & seasonal merchandising strategy which is aligned to our customer assortments while driving strong financial results
• Bring customer and market perspective to the merchandising process. Thoroughly understands the different brand's target customer by tracking wedding trends.
• Ability to apply trend forecast and influence product POV during development process using both market information and Brand Filters
• Provide strategic recommendations based on analysis of plans/forecasts while identifying risks and opportunities
• Frequently communicate business updates and directives to business partners and teammates
• Accountable to lead & develop multiple direct reports (MMPs, MPs)
• Represent Merchandising and Planning in key initiatives and special projects
• Develop annual merchandise financial plans in tandem with the Director
• Manage, oversee, and mentor the Merchandising and Planning team

THE RIGHT CANDIDATE: QUALIFICATIONS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree Required
EXPERIENCE / REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of Merchandise Planning experience with 5 years in a leadership position
• 2 years of recent experience at a start-up, e-Commerce / DTC company
• Prior experience in Merchandising
• Experience in fashion, apparel, or consumer goods at a large organization
• Ability to think big picture to achieve the company's overall goals but also able to dive into the details to improve processes or troubleshoot issues
• Strong strategic ability to develop actionable plans for short and long term growth
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, excellent retail math skills, and strong financial acumen to extract analytical insights and make data-driven decisions
• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills to gain support both internally and externally with plans and concepts
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Flexible and able to perform well in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Experienced in change-management
• A resourceful mindset & can-do attitude
• Challenges team & partners to take calculated risks
• Ability and willingness to travel and meet in person in LA and NY as necessary

NICE TO HAVES:

• Interest in bridal and fashion

WHY BIRDY GREY: BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive Compensation: Based on experience and performance + Bonus
• Healthcare Benefits: 100% employer covered medical, dental, & vision plans/ 50% spouse and dependent medical coverage + One Medical + Mental Health Benefits
• Retirement: 401K
• Generous PTO: Flexible Open PTO Policy + 11 Paid Holidays
• Wellness: A monthly wellness day, Classpass membership, a $50 monthly wellness stipend, summer Fridays
• Flexibility: Partial remote with a high level of autonomy and accountability + $50 monthly WIFI stipend
• Employee Discount: Free bridesmaid dresses + 50% discounts on Birdy Grey products
• Purpose: Join in the success of a high-growth, 80% women, early-stage startup by driving performance and building out new processes

Highlights:

• Birdy Grey is #305 on Inc5000's List of Fastest Growing US Companies 2022
• Be part of a company innovating the $75B+ US wedding market (IBISWorld, 2019)
• Birdy Grey is making waves on BuzzFeed, The Knot, Brides, People, Allure, PopSugar, Bustle and more
• Named #5 on LA's 50 Hottest Startups in 2020 by Pitchbook & Dot.LA
• Customers can participate in Birdy Grey's giveback program with The Princess Project, a non-profit that provides prom dresses and accessories to teens in need

New York Candidates only*: Minimum full-time salary range is generally between $180,000 - $225,000 + bonus + benefits. We continually review ranges to address skills, experience and markets. Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a number of factors that include, but aren't limited to a candidate's experience and skills relative to the scope and responsibilities of the position. *Note: Disclosure as required by NY Law (11-1-22) of the minimum salary compensation for this role when being hired as an employee in New York.
Birdy Grey is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
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Top skills for this role
Build these skills listed on the job description or by the job poster.
Analytical Skills
Microsoft Excel
Allocations
Inventory Management
Problem Solving
Leadership
P&L Management
Fashion Buying
Merchandising
Planning