OVERVIEW The Merchandise Planner partners with various areas within the Company and cross functional project teams to drive results through planning analysis and insights. Will possess e xcellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group - executives, directors, managers, and subject matter experts within and outside of the department. A successful candidate should be a self-starter, intellectually curious, exhibit attention to detail, and the ability to set and meet deadlines as well as provide insight, direction and appropriate feedback. POSITION SUMMARY Merchandise Planners are internal coaches for AutoZone’s Merchandising department. They provide a collaborative view of Sales, Gross Margin, Gross Profit Dollars and Vendor Funding encouraging the team to meet AutoZone’s Merch Gross Margin and Leverage goals ensuring financial success for the department. The Planner is responsible for creating a forecast, identifying upside and risk and working with the category teams and directors on identifying strategies and tactics to offset risks and augment upsides for the category. Primary responsibilities include and are not limited to: + Coordinate the execution of the Merchandising Plan and Strategy with the Merchandising organization. + Ensure broad business strategies and objectives are translated into specific objectives and plans. + Develop and collaborate with category manager, directors and Vice Presidents a detailed category/subcategory financial/merchandise plan. + Identify, communicate and collaborate on tactics to overcome and/or mitigate risk for leverage. + Adjust forecast for business, seasonal and macro-economic events. + Collaborate with the Merchandising team to prepare contingency plans to drive sales and profit objectives. + Identify, communicate and coach about opportunities to drive sales, improve margin, optimize inventories and leverage financial results. + Uses merchandising systems to analyze key merchandising metrics (e.g. category productivity, product trending, inventory status, margin rate) and provides recommendations for optimization. + Maintain an accurate financial forecast of sales dollars, margin components (to include vendor funding), and inventory. + Continually examine successes and failures to extract key lessons on key item strategy, product categories, product positioning and messaging, and marketing and promotional strategy. + Interpret reports and analysis to highlight important trends to support multi-department analysis. + Assist the Merchandising team in the tracking, and analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and use this information in the planning and execution of merchandising strategies. COMPETENCIES + Planning & Organizing + Communication + Problem Solving + Drive for Results + Business Acumen + Collaboration & Teamwork + Time Management + Analysis & Judgment COMMUNICATION + Communicates effectively and tailors communication appropriately to different audiences. + Effectively define/frame problems and translates complex findings into actionable strategies and tactics that facilitate decision-making for category teams, directors and vice presidents. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED + Highly proficient working with MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SAS Planning systems, JDA Planning System) + 2- 3 years of experience as a Merchandise Planner (preferred) Benefits at AutoZone AutoZone cares about people. That’s why AutoZone offers thoughtful benefits programs with one-on-one benefit guidance designed to improve AutoZoners’ physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Some of these benefits include: + Competitive pay and paid time off + Unrivaled company culture + Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance options   + Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts with wellness rewards + Exclusive Discounts and Perks, including AutoZone In-store discount + 401(k) with Company match and Stock Purchase Plan + AutoZoners Living Well Program for mental and physical health + Opportunities for career growth and tuition reimbursement  Eligibility and waiting period requirements may apply; benefits for Autozoners in Puerto Rico, Hawaii or the U.S. Virgin Islands may differ. Learn more about all that AutoZone has to offer at careers.autozone.com.