Senior Director, Planning (Beauty)
Company : Centric Brands Inc.
Location : New York, NY, 10118
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
About Us
Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together.
Specific Responsibilities Would Include
Position Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Planning to join our Beauty Planning team. This pivotal role will oversee the development and execution of strategic merchandise plans, ensuring alignment with the company's financial objectives and brand vision. Additionally, this role will be key to supporting the Walmart business and other key businesses at retail. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of retail operations, and strong analytical skills.
Responsibilities:
Merchandise Planning
- Drive margin and production planning by season for the Beauty division, identifying opportunities to optimize profitability.
- Collaborate with Production, Design, and Sales to create seasonal line plans at both divisional and account levels.
- Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to inform planning decisions.
- Consolidate post-market buys for comparison to plans and identify potential shortfalls.
- Lead post-season hindsight processes to identify missed opportunities and future needs.
- Maintain updated roll of risks and opportunities by business.
Account Planning
- Partner with the sales team on pre-season and in-season management, including reporting and replenishment.
- Build relationships with key retailers to align on seasonal plans and ensure key KPIs are met.
- Support major accounts with POS reporting and ad hoc analysis as needed.
- Conduct monthly reviews by account with sales to understand item-level nuances.
Demand Planning
- Oversee demand planning activities to ensure accurate forecasting and alignment with business goals.
- Manage and mentor the demand planner responsible for executing forecasts, buys, and tracking performance.
- Review historical sales, market trends, and seasonal factors to guide forecast strategy.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure demand plans support merchandising, replenishment, and financial objectives.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and lead adjustments based on performance, sell-through, and retailer feedback.
- Provide visibility into demand shifts and proactively identify risks and opportunities.
Business & Inventory Strategy
- Develop and manage financial plans, budgets, and forecasts for the Beauty division.
- Monitor key financial metrics and collaborate with Sales and Production to optimize sales and margin by account.
- Track and re-forecast giveback needs, conduct scenario planning by program, and communicate margin implications with Finance.
- Ensure inbound and outbound inventory is balanced across accounts and aligned with seasonal demand.
Our Best Fit Candidate Would Have
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in merchandise planning or retail planning
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
- Experience with Walmart strongly preferred- Retail Link & Luminate systems knowledge a plus
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and SAP
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
In return, we provide an industry-competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision) that includes a matching 401(k), Summer Fridays, generous PTO, merchandise discounts, excellent career development opportunities, and a work environment that reflects our industry leadership. Our social impact program, Centric Cares, focuses on volunteerism to make a difference in communities we live and work in and our D&I committee is shaping the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Centric Brands though workshops, resources and inspiring conversation.
Salary Range: $165,000 - $185,000
At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent. Our job postings include an annual base salary range at the time of employment. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, annual bonus and other Centric Brands sponsored benefit programs.
Be part of our growing community by getting involved with groups, teams and initiatives like Be Green, Be Giving, and Be Celebrated.
Centric Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please note that Centric Brands will only reach out to interview, make an offer of employment or conduct onboarding activities for candidates who have applied through our careers site. When interviewing for a position, the candidate experience will include live interaction, such as a video conference or telephone call, with a Recruiter and/or company employee(s). We will never ask for any money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. Be aware of suspicious recruitment activity. If you think you are a victim of an employment scam, you may contact your local law enforcement agency and/or visit the Federal Trade Commission website here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.
#LI-hybrid
#LI-KG1
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Senior Director
Frequently asked questions
The Senior Director, Planning in beauty shapes seasonal merchandise plans by analyzing market trends and consumer behaviors, which helps optimize product assortments and maximize profitability. This leadership role ensures alignment with financial goals while fostering innovation in the competitive beauty retail landscape.
Success in this position demands strategic vision, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate seamlessly across design, sales, and production teams. Effective communication and decision-making are critical to drive margin optimization and navigate fast-paced retail dynamics uniquely present in the beauty industry.
Professionals often advance from merchandise or demand planning roles, accumulating deep retail operations experience and financial proficiency. Gaining expertise in key accounts like Walmart and mastering forecasting tools can accelerate progression to senior leadership in beauty product planning.
NYC’s fast-moving consumer market and diverse customer base require agile planning and continuous trend analysis. The high competition in this hub emphasizes the need for precise forecasting and strong retailer partnerships to maintain a competitive edge in beauty merchandise.
Demand for experienced planning leaders in NYC’s beauty market is rising, fueled by growth in lifestyle brands and omni-channel retailing. Candidates with expertise in Walmart account management and advanced analytics are highly sought after to meet evolving consumer demands.
Centric Brands stands out through its commitment to innovation and teamwork, offering robust career development, comprehensive benefits, and social impact initiatives. The company’s focus on creativity combined with analytical rigor provides a dynamic environment for strategic planning leaders.
This role directly influences Centric Brands’ financial and merchandising objectives by bridging production, sales, and account management. The Senior Director ensures that beauty segment plans align with corporate growth goals while adapting to retailer-specific needs like those of Walmart.
The base salary typically ranges from $165,000 to $185,000 annually, reflecting the seniority and expertise required. Total compensation may include bonuses and benefits, competitive within NYC’s retail planning market, rewarding strategic impact and leadership in beauty merchandising.
Proficiency in these systems enables precise inventory and demand forecasting, essential for managing complex supply chains in beauty retail. These tools support data-driven decisions, helping optimize margins and align seasonal plans with key account performance metrics.
They continuously monitor inbound and outbound inventory relative to seasonal demand, collaborating with sales and production teams to prevent stock imbalances. This strategic oversight ensures optimized product availability while minimizing excess, crucial for maintaining profitability in beauty retail.