We are reimagining the department store and looking for talented people to join our Belk team!

Retail Development Program Overview

Belk offers talented and ambitious recent graduates the opportunity to work in multiple areas of our business. The Retail Development Program (RDP) is a fast-paced three-month program designed to prepare recent college graduates for a full-time role at Belk. We offer opportunities in several of our business functions including Merchandising, Planning, Supply Chain and more! The program focuses on key components to support your development: Education, Experience, Exposure, Innovation and Results.

The Retail Development Program – Planning will hire a class of program participants in our Charlotte, NC headquarters. RDPs are required to move and live in the Charlotte, NC Metro area for their first 12 months of employment at Belk.

Planning - Position Summary

The Retail Development Program – Planning prepares you for your first position as an Assistant Planner. The primary responsibilities of an Assistant Planner will include building merchandise financial plans, vendor or class as appropriate, that support the merchandise strategies while achieving corporate financial goals. In addition, they partner with the Planner to conduct key business analysis, to maximize profitability. Through our hands-on learning approach, participants assume job responsibilities quickly while completing a robust learning curriculum. In addition to on-the-job learning, participants will engage with a variety of senior leaders across the company, attend networking events and learn from top talent in the business.  Planning RDPs are placed within a Buying office to experience the job first-hand. Participants are also matched with mentors to help acclimate to Belk and develop on the job. 

On the Job

Work in a fast paced, dynamic, test and learn environment

Support and drive the profitability of your office/department with your Buyer and Planner

Support development of style/SKU counts and replenishment strategies by location/cluster

Analyze current sales trend, inventory levels and past selling history to help develop distribution strategies and support allocations to achieve optimal inventory levels by store

Optimizing Inventory by store to create the most profitable assortment

Support team in producing/ongoing management of vendor and item planning as needed

Provide business support through report generation and analysis of business results

Position Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; Strong academic performance in Business, Finance, Operations, or another related field, strongly preferred.  Prior internship in field strongly preferred.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel  (Advanced Formulas and Functions, Data Analytis , and charting, Data Cleansing, Data Consilidation)

Must have graduated within 6 months of May 2025 and able to start full time May 2025

Passion for solving problems; strong analytical and critical thinking skills and aptitude with numbers

Open to learning, able to adapt to changing circumstances and reprioritize tasks as needed 

Ability to communicate effectively with clients and partners at all levels of the organization 

Must be authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorization sponsorship by Belk for this position