Job Description
Who we are:
Born in Brooklyn, West Elm has been helping customers express their personal style at home since the launch of our first catalog in 2002. Our home base is nestled down under the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, right above our flagship store. We are a dynamic, fast-paced brand with an exciting growth strategy. We value imagination, diversity and giving people the opportunity to explore, grow and shape our future. We look for innovative, smart and hard-working individuals who enjoy creative thinking and ingenuity. Help us carry out our mission of being a source of inspiration to our customers, creating a global community and tirelessly seeking ways to evolve our brand.
The Planning organization is responsible for the strategic planning of inventory positions to drive sales, manage inventory turn, and deliver profit objectives. Inventory leaders are innovators, optimizers and problem solvers who are constantly seeking opportunities to move the business forward. We seek a candidate who loves using data to tell the story and a team player who goes above and beyond. The successful candidate will be curious, motivated and will think outside the box, challenging the status quo. This role requires being onsite in our Brooklyn office Monday through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.
Essential Functions
Plan and manage a department through the entire product life cycle:
- Partner with Merchants to create pre-season, item-level sales plans that align with the product rankings, merchandising strategies, and tops-down financial goals
- Present plans at investment review
- Manage monthly open to buy forecasts to drive sales and margin
- Manage inventory levels and turn targets
- Forecast and review buys and replenishment by SKU to maintain optimal inventory flow
- Utilize planning software to forecast sales and manage replenishment
- Partner with the Inventory Distribution team to develop allocation strategies and with E-commerce team on site merchandising opportunities
- Identify potential inventory liabilities and take action to maintain inventory targets
- Determine item level order quantities and flow strategies and partner with the Supply Chain Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate execution of purchase orders
- Determine markdown and end-of-life disposition strategy for non-go forward product
Key In This Role
- Build a relationship with Merchant counterparts and partner to develop financial merchandise plans by department
- Identify opportunities to drive the top line
- The ability to analyze the business day to day through reading and reacting to trends, and communicate actions to take
- Develop and provide appropriate business analysis to influence purchases and assortment strategies
- Be an integral partner with Visual, Store Operations, Sourcing, and the Distributions Centers
- Act like an owner, being the expert on everything relating to the sales, inventory and margin of your department
You
- Have a desire and willingness to work collaboratively in a group
- Have an innate willingness to dig in and contribute with your team
- Are driven and motivated by the possibilities ahead
- Are a true business owner, comfortable with decision making and taking calculated risk for the benefit of your business
- Think innovation is critical in a business environment and support others in creative thinking
- Pride yourself on the quality of work and are a stickler for the details
- Naturally challenge yourself and others to grow.
Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience in inventory management in retail
- Strong business acumen, financial analysis, and technical skills
- Experience with open-to-buy forecasting
- Ability to work in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
- Superior written, communication, presentation, and listening skills
Our Culture & Values
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.
People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
- A generous discount on all WSI brands
- A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
- Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
- Tax-free commuter benefits
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Continued Learning
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
- Resources for self-development
- Advisor (Mentor) program
- Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 annually. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
About Us
Our Company
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.