Senior Merchandise Planner - Bed Bath & Beyond
Company : Kirkland's, Inc.
Location : Brentwood, TN, 37027
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Overview
The Senior Merchandise Planner is responsible for leading the merchandise planning process for a select division. The Senior Merchandise Planner must effectively lead a division of Merchandise Planners and Associate Planners in analyzing and identifying business risks and opportunities while partnering with the merchandising team to propose solutions based on this analysis in order to achieve and exceed financial goals.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the development, analysis, and revision of bottom-up department sales, margin, and inventory turn plans for a select division.
- Work with Merchandise Planning Manager to ensure the developed plans meet company financial goals.
- Lead Merchandise Planners and Associate Planners in partnering with Buying teams to properly manage inventory levels through proper forecasting, assortment planning, and markdown strategies.
- Ensure all purchase orders fall within approved open-to-buy financial parameters for division.
- Lead Merchandise Planners in developing sales and margin goals for all promotional events.
- Partner with allocation team to maximize inventory balance within the stores as well as ensuring stock levels on promotional merchandise.
- Coordinate weekly markdown needs with Merchandise Planning Manager and Divisional Merchandise Manager.
- Run and analyze reports in order to react to current business trends as well as anticipate future business trends.
- Lead the development and training of Merchandise Planners and Associate Planners.
- Demonstrates a commitment to The Brand House Collective Values
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 4+ years of merchandise planning experience.
- Highly motivated and results oriented.
- Ability to negotiate with and influence peers and members of cross functional team.
- Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships.
- Ability to formally present business strategies and action plans.
- Ability to motivate and train planning team members.
- Demonstrates strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Must have strong technical skills; specifically Microsoft Excel, Business Intelligence software, and industry recognized Planning and Allocation tools.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods of time.
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Frequently asked questions
At Kirkland's, Inc., a Senior Merchandise Planner in Brentwood plays a key role in balancing inventory by collaborating closely with buying and allocation teams. They ensure stock levels align with promotional needs and seasonal trends, optimizing product availability and turnover rates to drive sales growth regionally.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, business intelligence software, and specialized planning/allocation platforms is critical. These tools enable detailed sales forecasting, margin analysis, and inventory turn optimization, allowing senior planners to make data-driven decisions that align with Bed Bath & Beyond’s financial objectives.
Senior Merchandise Planners exhibit strong motivational skills, effective negotiation abilities, and the capacity to develop and train their teams. They lead strategic planning efforts, guide junior staff, and confidently present actionable business strategies to cross-functional stakeholders.
Brentwood's retail market demands planners to be adaptable to regional customer preferences and competitive dynamics. The area's growing population and retail expansion increase merchandise planning complexity, requiring planners to align inventory precisely with local demand fluctuations.
Senior Merchandise Planners in Brentwood typically earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually, influenced by experience and company scale. This range reflects the specialized skills required in inventory management, team leadership, and financial planning within retail merchandise operations.
In Kirkland's, Inc., Merchandise Planners often manage diverse product assortments with a strong emphasis on home décor trends, while Bed Bath & Beyond planners focus on broad merchandise categories including housewares. Kirkland's may offer a more boutique-style planning environment, emphasizing personalized inventory strategies.
Kirkland's, Inc. demands balancing rapid trend shifts in home furnishings with tight inventory controls. Planners must forecast accurately amid seasonal promotions and regional preferences, navigating competitive retail conditions in Brentwood while maintaining strong vendor relationships.
Yes, it involves consistent interaction with buying teams, allocation specialists, and divisional managers to align inventory levels with sales targets. Effective communication and influence skills are essential to synchronize merchandising strategies across departments.
A bachelor's degree combined with at least four years in merchandise planning is fundamental. Mastery of Excel, business intelligence tools, and strong verbal/written communication complement analytical prowess and leadership experience, equipping candidates to handle complex financial and inventory challenges.
Brentwood's growing retail sector and proximity to Nashville increase competition for skilled merchandise planners. Demand surges during seasonal cycles and promotions, prompting companies to seek candidates who can swiftly adapt to shifting consumer behaviors and optimize inventory turnover.