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Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner

$154,000.00
Retail & E-commerce
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Description

🌟 Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner (Remote Job Opportunity)

Annual Salary: $154,000 Location: 100% Remote (Global Applicants Welcome) Position Type: Full-Time | Flexible Hours | Permanent Role

📊 Overview of the Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner Role

Are you a visionary merchandise planner passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive e-commerce success? Join our innovative and fast-paced digital retail team as a Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner. In this fully remote position, you’ll apply data science and modern analytics to plan, manage, and optimize merchandise strategies for a global audience. This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to play a vital role in transforming how customers interact with online retail platforms. We are a forward-thinking, data-first organization that values creativity, accuracy, and insight. We want you on our team if you’re ready to drive growth and elevate our digital marketplace through strategic planning, real-time analytics, and collaboration.

You can develop, execute, and manage complex merchandise strategies that scale across multiple digital channels. Your role will directly influence business performance by analyzing key metrics, identifying trends, and creating actionable plans. This high-impact role requires analytical expertise, creative thinking, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

📆 Responsibilities and Core Functions

🔢 Strategic Merchandise Planning

  • Build and maintain data-driven merchandise plans that align with sales goals and business objectives
  • Forecast future demand using AI-powered analytics and historical performance data
  • Maintain a digital-first mindset, ensuring merchandise strategies are optimized for online user behaviors
  • Develop Omnichannel merchandise strategies that create a cohesive brand experience across platforms

📊 Data Analysis and Reporting

  • Monitor real-time sales data and key performance indicators using Power BI and Tableau
  • Conduct deep dives into product category performance to uncover opportunities for growth
  • Create customized reports and dashboards to share insights with leadership and cross-functional teams
  • Translate data into compelling, actionable recommendations for improving assortment and inventory planning

🔮 Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Collaborate closely with marketing, supply chain, finance, and data science departments
  • Participate in agile sprint planning with engineering and product development teams
  • Serve as the merchandise expert in strategic planning sessions and project kickoff meetings
  • Communicate merchandise plans effectively to internal and external stakeholders

💻 Digital Tools and Technology Application

  • Use SQL and Python to automate forecasting models and streamline data workflows
  • Work within cloud-based platforms such as Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Shopify Plus
  • Leverage AI forecasting engines (like Blue Yonder or Revionics) to enhance accuracy and agility
  • Innovate new planning techniques and stay ahead of technology trends in retail tech

🥇 Qualifications and Experience Required

🎓 Educational Background

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Retail Merchandising, Data Science, or a related field
  • A master’s degree is preferred but not required

💼 Professional Experience

  • Minimum of 5 years in merchandise planning, preferably in a tech-driven or e-commerce environment
  • Proven success managing large product assortments and inventory across multiple regions
  • Experience with digital analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, Looker, and Adobe Analytics
  • Strong understanding of open-to-buy (OTB) strategies and lifecycle management

🚀 Technical Skills

  • Advanced proficiency with Excel, including pivot tables and VBA scripting
  • Skilled in utilizing modern analytics platforms for data visualization and business reporting
  • Familiarity with data warehousing environments and integrating third-party data sources
  • Experience implementing AI-powered retail planning systems

🔎 Tools and Technologies You Will Use

  • Power BI & Tableau for real-time visual analytics
  • Python and SQL for advanced automation and forecasting
  • Machine learning forecasting engines for SKU-level demand planning
  • Cloud-based platforms: Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Shopify Plus, SAP CAR
  • Integrated KPI dashboards, ERP systems, and inventory management tools

📊 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Improve forecasting accuracy by 30% within 6 months
  • Reduce inventory overstock by 25% annually
  • Enhance product sell-through rate by at least 20%
  • Achieve 95 %+ accuracy in SKU-level forecasting through automation
  • Drive gross margin improvement through optimized product mix planning

🌿 Why You’ll Love This Role

🛠️ Innovation and Impact

  • Be part of a data-first culture where analytics and technology drive every decision
  • Contribute to the next generation of retail tech by collaborating with engineers and data scientists
  • Shape the future of how customers discover and shop for products online

👩‍💻 Flexible Remote Culture

  • 100% remote with flexible hours tailored to your productivity rhythm
  • Monthly virtual team events and collaborative planning sessions
  • A focus on work-life balance and personal wellbeing

🌐 Global Reach

  • Work with a diverse team from around the world
  • Solve merchandising challenges at a global scale
  • Learn from industry experts, digital retail leaders, and world-class mentors

🌟 Who Are You

🔍 Key Attributes

  • Detail-oriented and obsessed with accuracy
  • Curious and analytical with a continuous learning mindset
  • A proactive problem-solver who can navigate ambiguity
  • Passionate about innovation, digital retail, and customer experience

👨‍💼 Professional Fit

  • Business-savvy with the ability to understand and influence P&L
  • Adaptable to fast-paced environments and rapid iteration
  • Strong communicator who thrives in collaborative teams

🎓 Professional Development Opportunities

  • Reimbursement for certifications and continuing education (e.g., CRMP, Google Analytics)
  • Access to exclusive virtual retail tech summits and conferences
  • Monthly learning labs focused on AI, data science, and digital strategy
  • One-on-one coaching and personalized leadership training

🎁 Compensation and Benefits

  • Competitive annual salary: $154,000
  • Unlimited paid time off and flexible scheduling
  • State-of-the-art equipment and technology budget
  • Wellness programs, including therapy reimbursement and fitness stipends
  • Inclusive, empowering, and tech-obsessed work culture

🎉 Company Milestones and Impact

  • Over 10 million active users in global digital marketplaces
  • Achieved 3x year-over-year revenue growth in the past fiscal year
  • Winner of 2024’s Best Use of AI in Retail Award
  • Named a Top 50 Company in Retail Innovation by Industry Leaders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does a Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner contribute to improving e-commerce performance?

A Virtual Retail Merchandise Planner plays a critical role in optimizing online retail strategies by aligning merchandise planning with sales goals, customer behavior, and real-time data analytics. By analyzing trends, forecasting demand, and managing assortments across digital platforms, planners help increase conversion rates, reduce inventory overstock, and boost gross margins. Their work directly drives smarter inventory decisions, supporting business growth and enhancing the customer experience.

2. What technologies and tools are most important in this role?

Success in this remote merchandise planning position relies heavily on modern analytics and automation tools. Planners are expected to use platforms like Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python, and cloud-based systems such as Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Shopify Plus. AI-powered engines, such as Blue Yonder or Revionics, help improve forecasting precision. Familiarity with ERP systems, machine learning models, and integrated dashboards is also crucial for success in this technology-driven role.

3. How is collaboration handled in a fully remote merchandise planning team?

Remote collaboration is facilitated through agile planning sessions, digital stand-ups, and cross-functional teamwork among departments, including marketing, finance, supply chain, and engineering. Regular virtual meetings, shared dashboards, and cloud-based collaboration platforms ensure seamless communication and real-time updates. This remote merchandise planner role also emphasizes proactive communication and participation in strategic planning, making collaboration a central component of success.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges faced in digital merchandise planning?

Key challenges include adapting to rapid changes in customer demand, integrating diverse data sources to ensure accurate forecasting, and striking a balance between inventory levels and product availability. Another challenge is forecasting at a global scale, accounting for regional differences and seasonality. The use of AI and automation tools helps address these issues, but it requires ongoing skill enhancement and agility to stay aligned with the rapidly shifting trends in digital retail.

5. What professional growth opportunities are available in this virtual merchandise planner role?

This role offers extensive growth opportunities through hands-on experience with cutting-edge retail technologies and exposure to global e-commerce strategies. Team members receive reimbursement for certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, CRMP), access to digital retail conferences, AI-focused learning labs, and leadership coaching. The fast-paced environment fosters skill development in advanced analytics, forecasting, and business strategy, making it an ideal setting for career progression in digital retail planning.

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