At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

At Designer Brands, our Planning team plays a critical role in connecting customer demand, product strategy, and business performance. As a Planner, you'll be at the center of key merchandising decisions, using data, insights, and cross-functional partnerships to help shape assortments, optimize inventory, and drive results across the business.

This role offers the opportunity to influence product decisions from pre-season planning through in-season execution while partnering closely with Merchandising, Allocation, Store Planning, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Technology teams. If you enjoy combining analytical thinking with strategic problem-solving and are energized by collaboration, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while continuing to grow your planning expertise and leadership skills.

What You'll Be Doing

Financial & Assortment Planning

Partner with cross-functional teams to develop pre-season financial strategies and assortment architecture plans that support merchandising objectives and business goals.
Translate historical performance, customer insights, and in-season results into future assortment and inventory recommendations.
Develop and manage weekly sales, markdown, and receipt plans through Open-to-Buy (OTB) at the department, class, subclass, and Key Item levels.
Support financial goal achievement through thoughtful planning, forecasting, and inventory management strategies.

Business Analysis & Strategic Recommendations

Analyze in-season business performance and identify opportunities to maximize results within assigned merchandise categories.
Conduct bottoms-up reporting and ad hoc analyses to support business strategies and decision-making.
Evaluate risks and opportunities within the business and develop actionable, solution-oriented recommendations.
Use data, trend analysis, and financial insights to influence strategic decisions and drive performance.

Inventory & Operational Excellence

Partner with Store Planning and Allocation teams to ensure inventory plans align with store inventory targets.
Identify opportunities to enhance planning processes and collaborate with Technology partners on process improvements and automation initiatives.
Serve as a project lead for ad hoc projects and long-term business initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence

Build strong partnerships across Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Store Planning, Allocation, and Technology teams to support broader business objectives.
Communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
Influence product lifecycle decisions through data-driven insights and recommendations.
Facilitate productive meetings, present findings to stakeholders at various levels, and contribute to the execution of company strategies.

Team Leadership & Development

Support the onboarding and development of new team members by sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and fostering meaningful connections across the planning organization.
Lead by example, encouraging curiosity, continuous improvement, and a growth mindset.
Share best practices, process efficiencies, and automation opportunities that support the success of the broader Planning team.

What You'll Need

Experience

Minimum of 5+ years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, financial analysis, buying, or a combination of these areas.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field.

Technical & Analytical Skills

Strong financial acumen and advanced analytical capabilities.
Experience with data retrieval, organization, analysis, presentation, and reporting.
Proficiency in Excel, MicroStrategy, and Enterprise Planning.
Ability to leverage detailed analysis and factual data to develop strategic recommendations.

Communication & Leadership Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial concepts effectively.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate across diverse teams and functions.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Experience identifying and implementing best practices, efficiencies, and automation opportunities.
Ability to influence stakeholders through insight-driven recommendations and thoughtful problem-solving.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site

Sr. Planner