Associate Planner – Merchandising

Title of role: Associate Planner – Merchandise Planning Location: New York or Boston; Hybrid (2 days in the office required) Approved Salary Range: $62k-$72k About the Role : As an Associate Planner – Merchandise Planning at Rue Gilt Groupe (RGG), you will play a critical role in shaping the daily discovery experience for our members. You will actively participate in the development and execution of merchandising and planning strategies for designated categories to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profitability. Working closely with the Sr. Planner and cross-functional partners, you will act as a foundational pillar in ensuring our category visions are executed with precision. By leveraging data analysis and a keen knowledge of retail trends, you will support our mission to connect world-class brands to next-generation shoppers while optimizing inventory efficiency and maximizing financial outcomes. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Thinking & Assortment Strategy Collaborate with the Sr. Merchandise Planner and the Merchandising team to develop and execute comprehensive merchandise strategies across multiple departments. Contribute strategic insights to inform financial plans for your area of responsibility, and actively participate in in-season Open-to-Buy (OTB) discussions alongside the financial planner. Participate in establishing strategic initiatives that build highly curated assortment strategies, driving balanced growth, sales, and inventory efficiency. Financial Agility & Data Analysis Evaluate and track the financial performance of merchandise categories against established KPIs to ensure alignment with larger business objectives. Provide data-backed insights and recommendations to the Merchandise Planning and Buying teams, transforming metrics into effective decision-making tools. Analyze category performance consistently to identify risk, unlock margin improvement, and discover whitespace product opportunities. Operational Excellence & Innovation Organize and prioritize your independent workload efficiently to ensure data accuracy and timely cross-functional execution. Cultivate innovation through a natural curiosity, constantly seeking new ideas to push past traditional retail metrics and elevate the customer experience. Identify and participate in process improvement opportunities within the merchandise planning department to streamline team throughput. Cross-Functional Communication & Leadership Highly collaborative relationships with Merchandising, Programming, and other key departments to ensure total strategy alignment. Within the planning ecosystem by actively investing in your self-development. Experience and Background Needed : You are an analytical, detail-oriented professional with a passion for the "science" of retail planning. As a Tenacious problem solver, you excel at turning raw numbers into an actionable strategy and thrive in high-energy, fast-paced environments. You are a Collaborative team member who values diverse input and communicates with a Kind, open-minded approach. Your natural curiosity drives you to be Innovative in your work—always seeking out process improvements and new ideas rather than simply following existing routines. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or another quantitative field preferred 1–2 years of experience in retail, retail buying, or merchandise planning. Previous experience in an e-commerce ecosystem is highly preferred. Demonstrated planning and analytical skills with a basic understanding of retail industry trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics. Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel; experience with Business Intelligence (BI) software or retail math is a plus. Strong organizational skills with the ability to flex, prioritize, and drive accurate results amidst competing timelines. What Our Team Offers Working at RGG is more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to join a mission-driven team that values Innovation and Impact. We are committed to supporting our employees' success and well-being: Comprehensive Coverage: Robust health, dental, and vision insurance effective on the date of hire. Time & Flexibility: Generous Flex Time Off (FTO) and flexible remote/hybrid work options that support a healthy work-life balance. Culture: A supportive, inclusive culture that encourages innovation, safety, and creative risk-taking. Community: Paid volunteer opportunities and regular DEI celebrations to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration. Impact: The chance to make a real, measurable impact at a mission-driven, fast-growing company poised for major expansion. We encourage you to apply Even if you don’t meet every single qualification, we’d still love to hear from you. We value passion, curiosity, and a commitment to learning as much as experience. We celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create an inclusive environment for all our Associates. Work Authorization Rue Gilt Groupe requires all applicants to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future . Rue Gilt Groupe is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Rue Gilt Groupe is committed to providing Associates with equal pay for equal work and carefully considers a wide range of compensation factors, including but not limited to, prior experience, education, certification(s), license(s), skills and expertise, location, internal equity, and other factors that are job related and consistent with business need. Our goal is to support, reward and compensate the entire individual. Depending on role eligibility, your offer may also include bonus/commission, stock options, paid time off, medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Therefore, final offer amounts may vary from the amount stated. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee(s) assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the employee(s) assigned to this job. Rue Gilt Groupe reserves the right at any time, with or without notice, to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions or assign additional job responsibilities within your general skill set or capabilities. Rue Gilt Groupe is proud to be an Equal Opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. ABOUT US: Ready for the most memorable – and stylish – experience of your professional career? Then join us at Rue Gilt Groupe. Combining three complementary brands, Rue La La, Gilt, and Shop Simon, we are the premier off-price e-commerce portfolio company. Our model defined the online treasure hunt through its daily sale events allowing our customers to discover over 5,000 premium and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off full-price retail. We believe in fashion for all, sparking delight through daily discovery and shopping as an occasion to celebrate! World-class merchandising, technology and marketing bring our shopping experience to life, and we hire world-class people to do it. Living our values and being empowered, tenacious, passionate, collaborative, innovative, and kind is something we strive for every single day. We meet over coffee and brainstorm new ways to spark delight for our members. Volunteer on- and off-hours together. Plan some serious surprises for our coworkers, because nothing ignites innovation like a breakfast cereal buffet or an afternoon slice of cake. And we don't hesitate to use our associate discount – after all, we're as enthusiastic about style as our customers. The way we work? It's so much more than what happens between the weekends. It empowers us to think, create, and innovate, so we can deliver the first-rate experience today's customer’s demand. Rue Gilt Groupe GDPR/CCPA Pre-Collection Notice for Job Applications: We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with Rue Gilt Groupe, including identifiers, contact information, employment and education history, and related information. We use this PI for purposes related to evaluating your application and potential employment. Depending on your location, you may have rights under GDPR or U.S. state privacy laws. For additional details or if you have questions, please see our GDPR Applicant Privacy Notice and CCPA Applicant Privacy Notice or contact us at [email protected].