Vice President of Merchandise Planning & Allocation

Overview

Vice President of Merchanidse Planning and Allocation

The VP of Merchandise Planning and Allocation is a strategic leader responsible for driving profitable sales growth through effective planning, allocation, and inventory optimization across all channels. This leader oversees a team of professionals and develops data-driven strategies that ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time to meet customer demand. The VP fosters strong relationships with vendors and key stakeholders to optimize the supply chain and achieve organizational goals. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with potential for frequent travel.

What We Stand For 

Established in 1978, The Container Store has grown to be the leading specialty retailer of storage and organization products in the United States and the only national retailer solely devoted to the category. We provide creative, multifunctional, customizable storage and organization solutions that help our customers save time, save space and improve the quality of their lives. We foster a culture built around our Foundation Principles, which define how we approach our relationships with our employees, vendors, customers and communities and influence every aspect of our business.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate strategically with the CMO and VP of Merchandising to optimize assortments and inventory, consistently exceeding our sales and margin targets.
• Transform the Merchandising Financial Planning (OTB) approach by seamlessly connecting it to Purchasing, Forecasting, and Execution, ensuring alignment and efficiency.
• Mentor, coach and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Implement strategies to enhance employee engagement and retention, ensuring a motivated and satisfied workforce aligned with the company’s goals.
• Educate and train teams to effectively translate forecasts into actionable results and develop agile strategies to pivot and adapt when necessary.
• Spearhead monthly Executive Sales and Operations Plan presentations with our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), providing critical insights and actionable strategies.
• Forge essential partnerships with Finance, Store Leadership, Sr. Director of Merchandising Planning, Supply Chain, VP of Merchandising, and PD&D to drive integrated planning and execution.
• Play a pivotal role in long-range planning, linking it to target setting and strategies for expanding gross margin and refining assortment strategy.
• Lead the development and implementation of new tools and processes, working closely with the Merchandising, Technology, and Finance teams to build robust business cases.
• Define and drive the pricing strategy for General Merchandise and Custom Spaces, optimizing gross margin through strategic regular, promotional, and clearance pricing.
• Continuously enhance reporting and analysis capabilities, identifying KPIs that support our merchandising strategy and reflect customer-centric metrics.
• Leverage and develop the existing team, defining roles and responsibilities across permanent and offshore resources, with a focus on allocation, planning, forecasting, reporting/analysis, pricing, negotiation, process/technology improvements, transition planning, and space analysis.
• Work in conjunction with the Visual team to analyze and optimize space, ensuring alignment with overall merchandising strategies.
  
  

The Benefits Of Working Here

Our benefits exemplify our commitment to ensuring employees and their families are well taken care of, safe and secure.  Some of our benefits include:

• Competitive Pay
• Medical/Dental/Vision Plans
• Discount: 50% on Elfa, 40% on Merchandise and Gift Cards, 25% on Avera
• Paid Time Off plus Holidays
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee First Fund: providing grants to employees experiencing unforeseen emergencies
  
  

Qualifications

• College degree (MBA) preferred
• Minimum of 12 to 15 years planning and allocation experience with at least seven years as a manager
• Based in Dallas/Ft. Worth area on a hybrid schedule
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing applications including Microsoft Word and Excel . Proficiency in advanced analytics and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Knowledge of automated retail replenishment systems in both Vendor-to-Distribution Center and Distribution Center-to-Store
• Additional PC skills - Experience with data reporting systems (MicroStrategy) a plus
• Knowledge of automated retail replenishment systems in both Vendor-to-Distribution Center and Distribution Center-to-Store
• Deep understanding of omnichannel retail strategies and experience with inventory optimization techniques and technologies
• Must be at least 18 years of age
  
  

The Container Store promotes a smoke-free, drug-free environment.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and comply with the

Americans with Disabilities Act

Stores Physical Requirements

State Specific Notices