Planning Manager
Job Description
Job Title: Planning Manager
Location: on site 4 days, New York, NY / 1 day remote
A global leader in fashion and accessories is seeking a Planning Manager to drive financial planning, margin optimization, and inventory strategy across a diverse portfolio. This role is central to shaping both short-term results and long-range growth, making it a prime opportunity for planning professionals ready to elevate their careers in fashion.
The Role:
The Planning Manager will oversee sales and margin planning, open-to-buy management, production approvals, and hindsight analysis. From building pre-season forecasts to analyzing in-season performance, this role connects the dots between sales, production, and finance—ensuring that product, inventory, and profitability are always in sync.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build and manage financial plans for sales, margin, and units at the account/brand level
- Lead OTB management and approve production buys
- Conduct monthly performance analyses to identify risks and opportunities
- Deliver insights and recommendations to leadership to drive strategy
- Partner across sales, production, and operations to align forecasts and inventory flow
Job Requirements
Ideal Candidate:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Retail Management, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in merchandise, wholesale, or retail planning
- Proven analytical skills with advanced Excel knowledge
- Skilled in inventory control, OTB management, and forecasting
- Confident communicator with experience influencing decisions and presenting to leadership
Why It’s Compelling:
This position places a planning professional at the heart of the fashion business, offering exposure to both the creative and analytical sides of the industry. It’s a chance to shape financial outcomes, partner across global teams, and build a career within one of fashion’s most dynamic sectors.
Ambitious planners looking to make their mark in fashion are encouraged to apply.
Meet Your Recruiter
Doug Berkowitz
I’m Doug Berkowitz and I joined the field of Executive Search nearly 30 years ago, specializing in these industries: Consumer Packaged Goods, Pharma, Cosmetics, Fashion, e-Commerce, Health and Beauty. I handle middle and senior management roles. I pride myself on building relationships and never giving up on even the most challenging talent search. I believe that when you do the right thing for clients and candidates - they always come back. It’s all about the relationship. I have built a great reputation in multiple industries and I continue to develop strong relationships with professionals across a broad array of disciplines.
My team has expanded our reach to cover the entire U.S. and we have continued to grow since our merger with Lloyd Staffing. (We were formerly APR Executive Search.) The future is very bright. If the pandemic taught me anything, it’s don’t sweat the small stuff. — Just work hard, play harder and enjoy life.
In my free time I love fitness, cooking, eating excellent food, drinking great tequila and traveling. I’m an avid sports fan and love just hanging with my friends and family.