Senior Manager, Merchandise Planning

Senior Manager, Merchandise Planning

Brilliant Earth is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager to join our Merchandising team and lead the strategic planning and management of inventory across key categories. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Merchandising, the Senior Manager will play a pivotal role in optimizing inventory levels, driving process improvements, and implementing strategic initiatives to support the company's growth objectives. The Senior Manager will also be fundamental in guiding assortment optimization, utilizing insights from the planning perspective to inform product strategy. They will also generate category reporting and tools to track performance metrics, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to align inventory management strategies with broader business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Merchandise Planning and Allocation: Oversee the development and execution of merchandise planning strategies, including open-to-buy management, allocation optimization, and store planning initiatives.
• Assortment Planning: Collaborate with Category Merchandising teams to inform product strategy, SKU count targets, product lifecycle management, and pricing decisions, ensuring alignment with overall merchandising objectives.
• Strategic Inventory Management: Lead the development of comprehensive sales and inventory forecasts, overseeing the management of inventory levels to align with company sales targets and objectives.
• Team Leadership and Development: Manage and mentor a team of merchandise planners, providing guidance and support to ensure optimal performance and professional growth.
• Process Optimization: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including the development and implementation of new forecasting tools, reporting, processes and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in inventory planning and allocation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with category merchandising, visual merchandising, operations, and finance teams to provide strategic insights and guidance on inventory-related matters, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or related roles within the retail, product, or e-commerce industry.
• Experience with Planning (such as Blue Yonder, Logility, Demantra, MI9, etc.) and Reporting (such as Domo, Tableau, power BI) software is highly desirable.
• Proven Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of driving results through effective team management and mentorship.
• Strategic Thinker: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives to drive business growth and operational excellence.
• Expertise in Inventory Management: Extensive experience in managing inventory levels, creating new processes, and driving change to optimize in-stock levels and improve inventory performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Self-starter with a proactive and entrepreneurial spirit, able to thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment while maintaining a focus on achieving both business and social goals. Possesses strong problem-solving skills, approaching challenges with a positive and innovative mindset to drive solutions.
• Passion for our Mission: Genuine interest in socially and environmentally responsible organizations and products, with a commitment to advancing Brilliant Earth's mission of ethical sourcing and sustainability.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance, or related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

What We Offer:

At Brilliant Earth, we’re passionate about the employee experience. That’s why we offer an excellent training program and endless opportunities for career growth! In addition, we offer competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including:

• Insurance. Medical, dental, and vision insurance kick in on the first day of your 2nd month!
• 401k match. We know that saving for the future is important. That's why we offer a generous 401k match.
• Open PTO Policy. We know it’s important to recharge and relax.
• Disability and Life insurance. 100% employer-paid.
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits.
• Continued Education. Company-sponsored learning in leadership, professional skills, diversity & inclusion, and access to tuition reimbursement for role-specific trainings.
• Employee Discounts. As an employee at Brilliant Earth, you’ll receive a generous discount on our jewelry.
• Wellness Benefits. We offer access to exclusive discounts on gym memberships and more, as well as an Employee Assistance Program for 24/7 access to counseling.
• Giving Back and Volunteer Opportunities. In addition to our giving back programs, our teams support local initiatives and spend time together by volunteering

At Brilliant Earth, our mission is to cultivate a more transparent, sustainable, compassionate, & inclusive jewelry industry. We believe in creating jewelry you can feel good about wearing, without ever compromising between quality and conscience. We are hard-working team players that welcome challenges and rise to any occasion. Our community of collaboration, respect and encouragement is fostered by frequent team events, cross-departmental meetings and celebrating our wins, big and small. As one of the fastest growing e-commerce jewelers in the world, we're searching for bright and passionate people who are excited to make an impact from day one and grow with the company to take on greater responsibility over time.

Brilliant Earth recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion on our team, as we work together to reinvent fine jewelry in a thoughtful and modern way. At Brilliant Earth, we celebrate each other – our successes, the lessons along the way, and the unique perspectives each individual brings to our team. It is our intent to maintain a work environment and hiring process which is free of harassment or discrimination because of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, veteran status, or any other status protected by Federal, State or local laws. We are committed to complying with all Federal, State and local laws providing Equal Employment Opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations.

If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation completing an application or at any stage of the interview process, please reach out to us at accommodations@brilliantearth.com.