Account Planner, Mac North America

Principle Objective:

The Account Planner has extensive experience developing, category sell-through and sell-in forecasts, negotiating stock & sales plans, delivering gross shipments, and managing inventory KPI’s. The Planner manages retailer orders to ensure optimal ordering parameters & inventory in the trade to minimize returns and ensures the right level of WOS in the right SKUS in the right doors. Works in partnership with Account Lead to help develop overall account strategy (e.g., Category Plan and Stock & Sales Plan), and works with retailer partner team to build retailer plans to support sales & inventory projections.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

PRE-SEASON PLANNING

Annual Budgets/Sales Plans/Gross Shipments

• Provide input to Head of Account & Sales Planning as needed for LRP and annual budget process

Seasonal Category Planning

• Prepare and align on upcoming season account category plan that includes detailed plan for basic, launch and holiday business by applying detailed knowledge of account’s business and customer, brand strategy for category/SKU analytics
• Attends Seasonal planning meeting with retailer to support Account Lead in discussions on account category strategy
• Develop sku & volume forecasts for incremental programs for gondola and other store displays (e.g., out-postings, end caps)
• Develop sku & volume forecast for new door expanded distribution
• Help inform Account Lead strategy on optimal SKU assortment, focusing on differentiating assortment only in those areas of highest opportunity

Seasonal Stock & Sales Plan Development

• Proactively develops seasonal Brand Stock & Sales plan that supports category and inventory targets, including returns
• Negotiates Stock & Sales Plan with retailer seasonally as part of planning and then conducts monthly negotiations in season

IN-SEASON MANAGEMENT

Monthly Stock & Sales Plan Management and LE Reporting

• Manage in-season monthly brand stock and sales plans by reviewing previous month actuals, re-projecting plan, and conducting analyses on inventory/sales to drive insights
• Build weekly ship plans for account based on monthly Stock & Sales plan and refresh weekly/monthly
• Discuss re-projected sales and receipt plan with retailer
• Monitor and report on gross shipments to plan to Head of Account & Sales Planning and Account Lead, identifying any risks and opportunities; calls out gaps to seasonal plan and proposes initiatives to close the gaps/further drive sales
• Develop monthly Latest Estimate

Order Processing

• Monitors orders passed by the retailer; supporting launch and basic to hit retail sales plans by category
• Reviews counter service levels, OOS and fill rates and use as input to order changes
• Ensure that orders reflect correct SKU assortment for accounts / doors
• Update the weekly shipment forecast
• Join appropriate field calls to stay current and anticipate ordering needs based on field activities

Inventory Management

• Manage inventory levels including phase-ins, phase-outs, discos, returns (customer and RTVs), DIFs, testers, inventory adjustments and markdowns, with particular focus on proactively minimizing returns and DIFs
• Advise retailers’ on “like” replacements of OOS items and ensure re-orders are placed and filled in timely manner when item comes back in stock
• Recommend opening order for new retailers/stores
• For Specialty-Multi planners, provide SKU forecasts that meet SKU productivity targets for planograms and launch pipe, monitor inventory levels at the DC to ensure sufficient WOS, leverage returns/turn off SKU codes to ensure proper sell down prior to gondola update
• Annually review physical inventory to variance reports to ensure accuracy and ensure correct adjustments are made

Administrative Activities

• Conducts some relevant administrative tasks (e.g., filling out retailer required information for new products)
• Proactively partners with Account Services to ensure that PO Logs and OOS Reports address the highest need areas for the retailer and field; works with Account Services to devise solutions when issues occur
• Set up New Account Openings and closings

Core Competencies:

• Strong financial and analytical acumen; ability to advocate for and develop planning best practices and strong, mutually beneficial collaboration with retailers
• Highly organized and structured
• Planning/Organizing and Dependability - Is highly organized; prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
• Able to coordinate across roles and functions effectively
• Self-starter. Ability to work independently
• Experience with data manipulation and Excel formulas (Date functions, V-lookup, Pivot Tables, etc.).
• Flexible mindset, with the ability to shift focus, multi-task, and prioritize requirements

Qualifications

• College degree required
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience, with 3-5 years’ experience in Financial Planning or working with stock & sales plans
• Experience in Cosmetics industry preferred
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills
• Strong ability to structure, analyze, and manipulate large amount of data in excel quickly (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data cleaning, etc.)
• Ability to review and analyze Stock & Sales Plan; knowledge of inventory models and KPIs (turn, WOS) and retail supply chain
• Understanding of forecasting and replenishment planning tools and systems
• Strong communication and negotiation skills

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $82,500 to $135,500. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

Job: Sales
Primary Location: US-NY-New York
Job Type: Standard
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: 1st (Day) Shift
Job Number: 240887

We are an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact USApplicantAccommodations@Estee.com.

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is the global leader in prestige beauty. ELC is the only company focused solely on prestige makeup, skin care, fragrance and hair care with a diverse portfolio of 25+ brands sold in approximately 150 countries and territories. Infused throughout the organization is a passion for creativity and innovation — a desire to push the boundaries and invent the unexpected — as we continue the bold work of the company’s founder Estée Lauder.