About the Role
In this role, you will be part of the Franchise Merchandise Planning team, bringing the financial strategy behind our Athleta product vision to life for Franchisees around the world. As Merchandise Planning Analyst you will drive the success of multiple divisions and product categories by executing wholesale and margin budgets, leveraging product performance analysis across key accounts.
You are passionate about using your qualitative and quantitative skillset in a corporate fashion retail environment and find joy in identifying global market nuances. You are curious, innovative, and focused on executing an amazing customer experience while delivering/exceeding financial targets. Strong analytical and storytelling skills will serve you well, and a collaborative mindset is a must.
This position will be based in SF HQ and will be part of the Gap Inc Franchise Product team, partnering with teams such as Franchise Merchandising, Account Management & Planning, Product Operations, Store Experience and Marketing as well as the Athleta Omni Planning team.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the Athleta Merchandising Planning lead, acting as the primary expert and strategic partner for all product-related initiatives. This role includes ownership of investment review meetings, oversight of division and category-level OTB (Open-to-Buy) planning, and effective management of competing priorities within the brand. You will represent Merch Planning in cross-functional forums, driving alignment and informed decision-making across teams.
- Own cross-regional Merchandising Planning initiatives, serve as the owner of critical workflows that spans all regions including but not limited to running sales reports, executing wholesale pricing strategies, and preparing investment review materials for cross functional team use.
- Build strong partnerships with internal teams (Merchandising, Production, Distribution, Company Planning, etc.) and external Franchisees, ensuring alignment and communication throughout the planning and buying process.
- Influence partner investments – Collaborate with partners to understand their business, build strong relationships, and drive results by leveraging data-driven analysis and in-person financial insights to influence franchisees.
- Develop processes and tools to evolve with fast paced changing retail environment to meet internal team and Franchisee needs.
Who You Are
- Must be comfortable in Excel (e.g. data manipulation and advanced formula knowledge), and be systems savvy
- Believe in the Power of Team; builds constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners
- Possess strong business acumen and strategic agility, able to handle multiple projects simultaneously while effectively prioritizing workload
- Comfortable with presenting to multiple audiences (internal and external cross functional meetings, product level financials, and in-season performance to identify future risks and opportunities)
- Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills, able to assess complex situations, analyze data, and drive solutions with speed and creativity. Thrives in a self-directed role, using initiative and resourcefulness to achieve goals and resolve issues independently.
- Demonstrate strong listening, written and oral communication skills
- Minimum of 1-3 years of merchandise planning/buying experience
- Experience in wholesale and consultant like roles is a plus
- Spanish Language skills are a plus
