REI Co-op is united in finding better ways to work. The goal is to help people discover and enjoy the outdoors. When you work for the co-op, you get support to do your best work and live well. You also help shape the future of the outdoors for people and the planet.

The Category Planning Manager ensures financial and omni-channel plans match the product team’s assortment strategies. This job helps REI succeed by leading the financial planning process for each specialty department. The manager ensures annual and strategic KPIs for sales, inventory management, and profitability are planned well. In-season risks are identified and reduced, while opportunities are maximized. The manager builds solid relationships with product teams to support good business decisions. The manager develops the financial and inventory management skills of Forecast Analysts. The manager ensures staff use consistent forecasting techniques and business management. The manager works with other divisions to share current and future business trends. The manager models and acts according to REI’s values and mission.

Manage the Business

• Accountable for executing planning processes and optimizing timelines to support product purchasing.
  • Makes sound business decisions to drive optimal customer experience
  • Supports the integration of product/company strategies into financial plans
  • Accountable for the execution of Department OTB and recommendations to support inventory KPI’s
  • Owns process and execution of Annual financial plans
  • Manages future year annual, seasonal and monthly planning KPIs
• Develops yearly financial plans for class, department, and specialty shop. Plans include monthly sales, turn, margin, and receipt flow. Plans are based on corporate and specialty shop goals, market trends, and class and vendor opportunities.
• Accountable for validating Tops-down and Bottom-Up plans through reconciliation processes. Responsible for setting standards for in-season execution of best practices.
• Drive season planning management. Synthesize common trends across categories. Identify risks and opportunities. Collaborate with the Director of Planning and GMM to find opportunities with risk and reward scenarios.

Guide the Team

• Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.
• Co-leads the team with CMM/Buyer support and makes effective staffing selections.
• Manages and develops Forecast Analysts skill sets.
• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees directly/indirectly managed to achieve department/company/customer results.
• Identifies and communicates key expectations. This ensures the team shows a positive attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.
• Collaborates with the Product teams to execute strategic business plans.

Guide Self

• Effectively communicate at any level throughout the organization and be comfortable influencing executives that are inside/outside the planning organization.
• Demonstrate the ability to guide the team through change and effectively communicate department vision
• Supports the education, communication and awareness of planning across the organization.
• Demonstrate the ability to use professional judgement when making judgments.

Qualifications

• 5 + years of Merchandising planning experience
• 2+ years of management experience or demonstration of management skills
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Exceptional understanding of merchandising KPIs.
• Planning experience to include line of business understanding (Retail planning, Online planning, Private Brand planning)
• Advanced knowledge of cost accounting
• Lifecycle Item Management and Assortment Planning experience
• Demonstrated ability to drive curiosity, project trends and articulate risks and opportunities and problem solve.
• Ability to apply strategic mindset to develop and translate high-level plans into detailed actions.

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.

Pay Transparency

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off. Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.