The Role at a Glance

The Planner translates sales trends, inventory performance, and demand signals into trading and inventory decisions that support sales growth while managing risk.

Working closely with Merchandising, Retail, and Finance, this role helps ensure inventory flows effectively across brands and SKUs, identifies opportunities to maximize sales, and supports strong inventory health across the business. The Planner manages forecasting, replenishment, and inventory planning across a forward-looking horizon of approximately 1–3 months, helping prepare the business for upcoming demand, launches, and key trading periods.

Creating the Magic

As the Planner, you will:

• Manage forecasting and demand planning for assigned brands by translating merchandise plans and sales trends into forecasts that inform replenishment and inventory investment decisions.
• Manage inventory flow across brands and SKUs to ensure solid product availability while maintaining sufficient weeks of supply.
• Analyze sales, inventory, and demand signals to support in-season trading adjustments to forecasts, replenishment activities, and inventory positioning.
• Manage replenishment activities and purchase order flow across vendors, ensuring orders are placed, tracked, and received according to forecasted demand.
• Monitor receipt-level open-to-buy by brand, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting inventory investment decisions based on sales performance.
• Monitor inventory performance and recommend actions such as markdowns, item swaps, or RTVs to maintain inventory productivity and protect margins.
• Produce and interpret WTD, MTD, and YTD sales and inventory reports to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, sharing insights with merchandising and leadership teams.
• Collaborate with Buying, Merchandising, Retail, and Finance teams to coordinate forecasts, launches, and inventory needs with wider commercial priorities.

What Success looks like

You’re doing well in this role when:

• Inventory levels reliably meet sales demand without frequent stockouts or excess inventory.
• Key items and hero SKUs stay consistently stocked during busy trading periods.
• Weeks of supply are carefully tracked and managed across brands and SKUs.
• Replenishment and purchase orders are accurate and match forecasted demand.
• Sales and inventory reports quickly highlight trends, risks, and opportunities.
• In-season trading adjustments enhance sales performance while safeguarding margins.
• Cross-functional partners appreciate planning insights and inventory suggestions.
• Planning tools and reporting processes enhance visibility and boost operational efficiency across the planning team.

This role aligns with IC4 in our Career Framework. At this level, individuals operate autonomously within their area of expertise, manage complex work with minimal guidance, and contribute to improving processes and outcomes within their team and connected teams.

What you’ll bring

• 4+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, or retail analytics
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear business insights
• Experience managing forecasting, replenishment, inventory planning, and open-to-buy processes
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large datasets and reporting tools
• Strong understanding of retail sales drivers and commercial awareness
• Ability to collaborate effectively with merchandising, finance, and retail teams
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a fast-paced retail environment
• Clear communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners

The Perks of Play

Because Magic should be rewarding.

• Competitive Salary
• Generous bonus structure
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Flex time off
• Team member discount
•  Commuter benefits
• 401k match
• Opportunities for growth
• Training that builds confidence, skills, and product knowledge
• A workplace that celebrates creativity, individuality, and joy

Our Commitment 

FAO Schwarz is proud to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome to bring their full selves to work. We believe diverse perspectives make the magic stronger, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.