Merchandise Planning Analyst
Merchandise Planning Analyst
THE DEPARTMENT:
The Merchandise Department supports the product strategy of Helzberg Diamonds by building powerful assortments, wide-ranging price points, bridal dominance, competitive quality and value across multiple fine jewelry categories and time pieces. The Merchandise team is responsible for identifying products that will sell, negotiating vendor contracts, and analyzing sales data to make sound purchasing decisions as well as searching globally for unique trends and hot selling jewelry products. The department has a significant impact on profitability by closely managing gross margin and inventory turns as well as asset/memo mix. Merchandise is an active partner with the Store Operations group and Marketing in driving Helzberg’s business. The Merchandise department is organized into several groups: Bridal, Diamond Fashion, Gold, Watches, Color and Special Events, Loose Diamonds, Outlets, Closeouts and Planning and Allocation.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Planning Analyst will support the Traditional channel in achieving financial targets related to sales, inventory turnover, and margin performance. This role is responsible for analyzing sales trends, generating actionable insights, managing inventory allocations, and supporting product assortment planning—particularly for key categories such as loose stones, handbags, and special assortments (LUXE and 1915). The ideal candidate will proactively identify and respond to customer demand and market trends, enabling data-driven decisions that drive channel success.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position does not have any direct reports.
QUALIFICATIONS:
COMPETENCIES:
Analytical Thinking, Business Knowledge, Communication, Integrity, Personal Accountability, Teamwork and Cooperation
The Merchandise Department supports the product strategy of Helzberg Diamonds by building powerful assortments, wide-ranging price points, bridal dominance, competitive quality and value across multiple fine jewelry categories and time pieces. The Merchandise team is responsible for identifying products that will sell, negotiating vendor contracts, and analyzing sales data to make sound purchasing decisions as well as searching globally for unique trends and hot selling jewelry products. The department has a significant impact on profitability by closely managing gross margin and inventory turns as well as asset/memo mix. Merchandise is an active partner with the Store Operations group and Marketing in driving Helzberg’s business. The Merchandise department is organized into several groups: Bridal, Diamond Fashion, Gold, Watches, Color and Special Events, Loose Diamonds, Outlets, Closeouts and Planning and Allocation.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Planning Analyst will support the Traditional channel in achieving financial targets related to sales, inventory turnover, and margin performance. This role is responsible for analyzing sales trends, generating actionable insights, managing inventory allocations, and supporting product assortment planning—particularly for key categories such as loose stones, handbags, and special assortments (LUXE and 1915). The ideal candidate will proactively identify and respond to customer demand and market trends, enabling data-driven decisions that drive channel success.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Inventory Management
Monitor inventory levels across stores and SKUs, identify stockouts, and communicate replenishment needs to the buying team. Support seasonal and promotional inventory planning with data-driven insights and performance tracking. - Merchandise Planning Support
Partner with merchants to develop and maintain financial and assortment plans. Support vendor collaboration and product lifecycle decisions to achieve sales, margin, and inventory turnover goals. - Financial Reporting & Analysis
Generate and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports. Provide post-event analysis for promotions and ad hoc reporting to inform strategic and tactical decisions. - SKU Forecasting & Allocation
Collaborate with buying teams to develop SKU-level forecasts and establish store-level display minimums. Monitor and adjust allocations for specialized assortments, including handbags, loose stones, and exclusive collections (LUXE, 1915).
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position does not have any direct reports.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising or related field.
- Minimum of two years of merchandising or planning and allocation experience required.
- Advanced Excel skills including the ability to work with pivot tables and formulas are required.
- Experience working with planning and allocation software is preferred.
- Must have strong project management skills and ability to complete projects on time.
- Strong problem-solving skills required, along with the ability to translate analytic data into strategic ideas.
- Excellent relationship building, communication and organizational skills required, with the ability to work and communicate effectively in a team environment.
- Must be able to multi-task, be flexible, perform in fast-paced environment and maintain focus while anticipating and reacting to shifting priorities and changes in business.
- Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.
COMPETENCIES:
Analytical Thinking, Business Knowledge, Communication, Integrity, Personal Accountability, Teamwork and Cooperation