Category Planner

SUMMARY
Be a part of something awesome! JOANN has become more than a place where people buy fabric and crafts; it is a place where people come together to celebrate making things with their hands, hearts, and minds. Every day, we strive to inspire creativity in ourselves and our customers and help them find their happy place. The Category Planner owns the planogram process for assigned category management team, as well as multi-merchant and high-profile company initiatives. Manages space utilization, inventory optimization, and operational efficiencies through the planogram process. Responsible for determining the flow and display of merchandise to presentation standards and optimal inventory productivity. Thorough understanding of the financial acumen of retail concepts that drive forecasting and replenishment and the impact to space planning process and procedure. Use candid and fact-based communication skills to influence others in pursuit of department initiatives. Instrumental in cross-functional projects that advance company goals and objectives.
The Category Planner partners with cross-functional teams to develop instore experience strategies that meet all corporate goals - sales, margin, visual/aesthetics, shopability, shelf quantities/inventory, etc. Manages multiple projects and calendars at one time, prioritizing workload to ensure excellent execution of planograms & projects. Presents ideas and solutions to leadership team on an ongoing basis. Active participant on RVP/DM calls as needed. Oversees the planogram handoff to the Merchandise Planner that will own the planograms go forward - ensuring alignment and understanding of core project and intent for the planogram to ensure the project's initial strategy is continued post project.
JOB DUTIES

• Responsible for creating and maintaining merchandise presentation standards for all store projects, multi merchant sets and assigned planogram categories by:
  • Leading cross functional team comp shop visits.
  • Developing and presenting panel flow recommendations that align with the strategic direction of the shop.
  • Creating clear, concise, and accurate merchandising direction for store implementation.
  • Creating and improving merchandise presentation processes to maximize profitability and efficiencies.
  • Partnering cross functionally with floor planning analyst, buyers, inventory management, in-store marketing, and store planning while executing strategy for the shop.
  • Owning fixture and marketing recommendations.
  • Leading SSC support for instore setting of major planograms with identifying stores, partners with store manager, recruits' team and oversees project - communicates learnings to CMT.
• Accountable for the efficiency and accuracy of all planograms within the buyer's area of responsibility and ensuring the buyer's vision is executed across all areas by:
  • Building timelines and following up on all processes to ensure all milestones are met.
  • Completing physical sets for each layout per timeline requirements.
  • Creating cohesive planogram documents per timeline requirements.
  • Building and communicating timelines to ensure accurate completion of planogram projects.
  • Tracking and following up on all processes to ensure timelines are met.
  • Compiling all information and materials for merchandising communication to the stores and field management.
  • Researching and developing strategies for all owned categories leveraging expertise in space allocation, minimum presentation quantities, and merchandise presentation.
  • Creating compelling documents for store execution that are clear, concise, accurate. Including concept renderings, instructional videos, photos where needed to aid in field execution & understanding.
  • Managing assigned category management teams through the creation, strategy and communication of planograms and associated processes and procedures, aligned to the merchandise life cycle and master calendars.
• Analyzes planogram productivity through space planning productivity reporting to make strategic recommendations in regard to panel flow, set quantities and space assignment:
  • Optimizing the space productivity (including but not limited to sales and margin performance) reporting of the planogram, working with the buyers and /or the vendors.
  • Analyze and present space productivity reporting with recommendations regarding planogram breakouts and assortment consolidations, vendor/article rationalization based on available space.
  • Utilizes JDA and other systems to analyze optimization of planograms.
  • Provides recommendations to influence buying, allocation decisions with the Merchant and Planning teams.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Education Minimum: Bachelor's Degree preferably in Merchandising, Finance, Business, Marketing, Statistics, or Communications.
Experience Minimum: 6+ years of experience with combined experience (field/corporate) in retail merchandising, space planning, inventory management or communication.
Experience Preferred: Project management experience preferred with experience in JDA or similar space planning application knowledge.
WORKING CONDITIONS
May involve traveling to retail stores to evaluate planograms with cross-functional teams.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• JDA/CKB Utilization - REQUIRED
• SAP Planning software experience
• Thorough understanding of the retail industry and competitor landscape
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and follow through skills
• Analytical analysis - review reporting and make space recommendations
• Embrace change with a positive frame of mind
• Exhibits time management skills and multitasking ability
• Identifies problems and recommends a solution
• Driven by continual improvement and creating efficiencies
• Presentation skills - ability to represent self and department well in meetings.
• Excel Level II experience and proficient in MS Office programs: Word, Excel and Access

#LI-ZH1
This position will be located at:
5555 Darrow Road Hudson, OH 44236
Eligibility for benefits and incentives is dependent upon employment status. JOANN offers the following benefits and incentives to eligible Team Members:

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefit plans
• Company-paid basic, Optional, and Dependent life insurance
• Long-term disability and Company-paid Short-term disability
• Paid Time Off and Sick Time
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with an employer % match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Team Member Discount

For more details on benefits and eligibility requirements, Click Here or visit https://joann.myben.site/
JOANN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. JOANN is an at-will employer, which means that your employment may be terminated by JOANN or yourself with or without notice or cause unless the at-will arrangement is modified by a written agreement signed by both you and and authorized representative of JOANN.