Job Opportunities in United States

About us

Knit Well Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant, and Talbots. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.

Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.

Manager, Location Planning & Allocation (Ann Taylor)

About the role

Manager of Location Planning & Allocation leads a team of Location Planners and Allocation Analysts supporting brand sales, margin, and inventory objectives. She/he works in partnership with internal brand partners and Accenture to develop pre-season sales plans at the location level to influence the Merchandise & Assortment Planning Processes with a goal of optimizing margin opportunities at the location/department/class level. This work continues in-season where sales plan re-trending is done based on recent selling trends at the location level which directly influences the Allocation Planning & Execution processes. This leader will have oversight to real estate (New, Closing, Re-Modeled) stores and be the key interface point for the field organization when reviewing stores during monthly/quarterly/seasonal store review cycles across each business.

The Manager of LP&A will also be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities and deliverables between the on-shore Inventory Planning and off-shore Allocation teams.

The impact you can have

• Lead and manage the Pre-Season planning process across the organization that gathers and analyzes the inputs to build out the Location Planning forecast.
• Lead and manage the In-Season process that makes sales trend adjustments based on the latest selling behavior, influencing store allocations that are aligned to customer demand.
• Leads and manages the process of Allocating merchandise based on the outputs of the location plan.
• Leads the pre-season allocation strategy approach to new floor sets, inventory parameter and policy setting, and identifies best practices in the use of inventory math based variable logic to drive precision into inventory placement by location.
• Collaborate on solutions with a cross functional team including Accenture Managed Services, Merchandise Planning, Merchandising, DC Operations, Merchandise Operations, Merchandise Planning & Allocation Center of Excellence and the Brand Field Organization to build and optimize the Localized Plan.
• Measure forecast accuracy and create baseline benchmarks by department/class to track overall improvement and margin benefits.
• Provide leadership and management direction in the development of direct reports supporting product categories across channels / geographies.
• Maximize sales and margin performance through their team’s ability to properly plan and execute the development of location plans and deliver supporting inventory to maximize sales and margin performance.
• Implement process & system improvements related to Location Planning & Allocation activities.
• Focus on delivering consistent, repeatable processes to optimize inventory position, profit levels, and team operational effectiveness.
• Partners with Merchant / Planning team to understand and communicate Location Planning & Allocation strategy, develops reporting, status updates, identification and communication of risks and opportunities to leadership as they develop.
• Leads analytics across the Location Planning & Allocation team to identify key issues and develop solutions to ensure opportunities are maximized and risks minimized.
• Has direct oversight to the development of Location & Allocation plans for real estate stores: openings, remodels, and closings.
• Provide store financial and performance reporting for monthly business reviews.

Leadership & Mentoring Activities

• Responsible for on-going training, coaching and development of Location Planning & Allocation team members.
• Leads projects and strategic business initiatives for the Location Planning & Allocation functions.
• Uses expertise to help drive Location Planning & Allocation continuous improvement.
• Partners with and supports Cross Functional Team members with analytical insights that drive improved business outcomes.

You’ll bring to the role

• 6 - 8 years’ experience in retail management: location planning, allocation, merchandise planning or related experience.
• 2 - 4 years’ experience managing a team.
• Expertise in MS Office suite: Excel, Access, Word, Power Point, etc.
• JDA knowledge a plus.
• Excels at talent development.
• Self-Driven with ability to influence business decisions.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Project Management knowledge and experience, timeline & deliverable management, and problem resolution.
• Ability to successfully deal with change and develop new business processes.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Bachelor’s degree, advance degree a plus.

Benefits

• Merchandise discount at our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Ann Taylor, LOFT, Talbots, Haven Well Within & Lane Bryant (in store and online)
• Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities*
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K)*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time off – paid time off & holidays*
• The target salary range for this role is: $115k to $120k *

• Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

This position works in a hybrid model, with three days per week worked in our New York City (Times Square Tower) office location and two days per week worked remotely.

#LI-MJ1

Location:

Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified people at all levels. It is our policy in all personnel actions to ensure that all associates and potential associates are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate in any of our employment policies and practices. All associates are expected to follow these principles in all relationships with other associates, applicants, or others with whom we do business.