[Hiring] Merchandise Planner @Brilliant Earth

Role Description

The Merchandise Planner will be a key member of Brilliant Earth's Merchandising & Planning team, responsible for developing comprehensive sales and inventory strategies across multiple product categories. Reporting to the Associate Director of Merchandise Planning, this role is the primary liaison between merchandising, operations, and finance teams to optimize inventory investments while maximizing profitability and customer satisfaction. The Merchandise Planner will lead inventory planning initiatives, establish forecasting methodologies, and drive strategic decision-making to support business growth.

Brilliant Earth is in an exciting phase of building and refining our planning infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings analytical depth, intellectual curiosity, and resourcefulness. We’re seeking a strategic thinker who can work effectively in an evolving systems environment to identify gaps, develop workarounds, and actively contribute to the improvement of planning tools and processes over time. We have a social and environmental mission at the core of our company and are looking for someone who is passionate about helping us achieve our social goals while delivering exceptional business results.

Key responsibilities include:

• Inventory Planning
  • Manage merchandise planning for multiple product categories and contribute to category results
  • Navigate the unique complexities of fine jewelry inventory, including diamond and gemstone assortment management
  • Lead strategic inventory planning for new showroom launches and business initiatives
  • Establish inventory parameters including weeks of supply, safety stock, and reorder points
  • Identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity and reduce excess while maintaining service levels
  • Participate in and facilitate cross-functional meetings to review inventory positions and align on action plans
• Forecasting & Financial Planning
  • Drive the weekly forecasting process to determine appropriate inventory levels across channels
  • Support the OTB process: translate financial plans into actionable buying strategies through monthly OTB framework and collaborate on category Open-To-Buy alignment across teams
  • Collaborate with the merchandising team to develop and maintain comprehensive sales forecasts, strategic inventory plans, dynamic scenario models, and data-driven buying recommendations to optimize product assortment and maximize profitability
  • Develop scenario planning models to evaluate potential business impacts and contingencies
• Analytics & Reporting
  • Design comprehensive analytics frameworks and models to evaluate business performance metrics
  • Ensure accuracy of analysis, reporting, insights, forecasts, and achievement of inventory plans/goals
  • Perform complex statistical analysis to support Planning and Merchandising teams

Qualifications

• BA degree or equivalent, preferred
• 5+ years’ experience in quantitative analysis, inventory planning and/or forecasting; in a retail, product or e-commerce company
• Experience with attribute-based or commodity inventory planning (e.g. precious metals, gemstones or other specification-driven categories) is a strong plus
• Experience in allocation or store planning is a plus
• Advanced Excel skills including complex formulas, pivot tables, financial modeling, and efficient management of large datasets for inventory and sales analysis
• Experience with Planning and Reporting software; experience with Domo, NetSuite, or similar, a plus

Requirements

• Highly organized, detail-oriented and accountable with strong time management and a bias toward execution and process improvement
• Critical thinker who adapts quickly, works collaboratively and brings a self-starter mindset
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interest in socially and environmentally responsible organizations and products

Benefits

• Career Growth: Regular 1-1’s with your manager, a variety of training opportunities, and an annual 360 review process for all employees.
• Diverse, mission-minded team: Founded to cultivate a more transparent, sustainable, compassionate, & inclusive jewelry industry.
• Lifestyle Spending Account: Company reimbursements for eligible wellness expenses, such as gym memberships, massage, counseling, and more!
• Continued Education: Company-sponsored learning in leadership, professional skills, diversity & inclusion, and access to tuition reimbursement for role-specific trainings.
• Employee Discounts: Generous discount on our jewelry.
• Mental Wellness Perks: Access to mental health resources, such as self-care apps and seminars.
• Giving Back and Volunteer Opportunities: Support local initiatives and spend time together by volunteering.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision: Multiple plans to choose from, including a $0 monthly premium option for employee health insurance.
• 401k match: Generous 401k match.
• Paid Time Off: Important to recharge and relax.
• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave to bond and care for new additions.
• Disability and Life insurance: 100% employer-paid.
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits.