Description:
The Merchandise Location Analyst is responsible for the execution of store plans and merchandise allocations to all LOFT Outlet Stores. They are responsible for developing planned store inventory levels by department/class and maintaining inventory levels and merchandise assortments to maximize sales and gross margin performance.

Primary Responsibilities:

? Create sales, inventory and shipping index plans by department/class by month for comp and new stores. Analyze historical data and current sales trends and apply findings to pre-season and in season planning.
? Create and manage allocation strategies for LOFT Outlet Stores product by location based on the sales, inventory, and shipping plans.
o Partner with merchants and planners to define inventory ownership strategies of basic key item styles; manage replenishment to meet basic in-stock targets.
o Review inventory levels and store rankings by department/class, and develop strategies to optimize inventory with new receipts and consolidations.
o Analyze and react to individual store performance and the performance of store groupings to better flow merchandise and allocate inventory replenishment.
o Fulfill open to ship weekly by monitoring store category sales, inventory sell through, and stock to sales by style and color.
o Administer product flow out of the distribution center and in-transit to stores. Communicate initial release and replenishment status within cross-functional team.
? Analyze and communicate size and location-based selling, including sales/inventory comparisons, seasonality and marketing impacts to affect store plans and allocations and recommend future purchases.
? Execute size, pre-pack, and split shipment plans as part of purchase order process.
? Able to build, develop and maintain effective working relationships with planning and members of cross-functional teams.
? Collaborate with peers to ensure consistency and accuracy of information, share best practices and develop systems knowledge.
? Able to manage workload and consistently meet deliverable dates.
? Demonstrate good listening, written and oral communication skills. Effectively and clearly communicates, reflecting an appropriate sense of urgency.


Position Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; 1 year retail allocation or planning experience preferred
Possess an ability to understand financial measurements and how to impact them
Ideal candidate will have proficiency in Microsoft applications with strong emphasis in Excel
Strong problem solving and analytical skills; strong aptitude with numbers
Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
Excellent verbal and written communication skills