Position Overview:

The Vice President of Merchandise Planning & Allocation will have overall responsibility for strategically leading and directing Guitar Center's inventory management initiatives across respective categories at Guitar Center. In collaboration with the Vice President of Merchandising, this position is responsible for the development and execution of comprehensive business strategies to drive sales, optimize inventory investment, and generate profit in a multi-channel retail environment.

Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following:

Leadership and Strategy:

• Oversee the entire inventory management process in pursuit of company sales, margin, and inventory efficiency objectives. Develops the strategy to provide best-in-class inventory management methodologies in demand planning, assortment planning, merchandise financial planning, replenishment, & allocation.
• Develop exit and transition strategies in conjunction with merchant and inventory management teams; coordinate and communicate same to all members of the inventory management team.
• Develop and approve annual merchandise category and vendor plans that support agreed upon merchandising strategies that effectively achieve company sales and profit goals, and optimize return on inventory investment while gaining market share.
• Create ad-hoc reporting as necessary to supplement existing company provided reports.

Product Knowledge Focus:

• Review and analyze inventory by status code and pricing tiers on an ongoing basis; identify potential ownership and margin concerns with inactive inventory and develop action(s) to effectively and profitably liquidate sale.
• Approve SOX forms associated with introduction of new product into merchandise assortments.

Performance Metrics:

• Spearhead Open-to-Buy (OTB) process on a weekly/monthly basis to appropriately align inventory investment between performing & non-performing categories as well as to ensure company sales, margin, and inventory goals are being met.
• Provide ongoing analysis of macro-level business trends at the channel, vendor, store, category and price-tier level; develop action plans to capitalize on identified opportunities and minimize liabilities.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with merchant team regarding assortment rationalization for proposed assortment transitions to ensure items within the assortment have relevance and avoid potential duplication within the assortment.
• Regularly communicate business strategies, progress, results, and action plans to merchant partners, vendor partners, and GC management.
  
  

To join our band, you'll need the following experience:

• Bachelor's Degree is required, preferably in Business; or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 12 years of relevant work experience in inventory management (in addition to degree or years of previous experience).
• 8 years of experience leading teams.
• Advanced systems knowledge of retail multi-channel merchandise financial planning, demand planning, assortment planning, replenishment, and allocation systems.
• Advanced systems knowledge of BI and ERP systems.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, specifically with pivot tables and formulas such asv-lookups.
• Skilled proficiency in PC and Microsoft Office including PowerPoint, Outlook and Word.
• Skilled proficiency in MicroStrategy and Tableau.

Why Guitar Center Company? Here's just some of the rewards:

For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave-take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Guitar Center offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options.

Pay Rate: $229,000.00 - $250,000.00 annually depending on background and experience. This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance.

The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

Love this gig and want to apply? Send your resume today along with salary expectations!

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job-related requirements.

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