Allocation Planner- job post

We inspire purpose-filled living that brings beauty and quality to the modern home. Together, we achieve. Associates across our business drive results, innovate, and inspire. Drawn together by our shared values and passion for our customers and our brands, we deliver home furnishings that are expertly designed, responsibly sourced, and bring timeless style and function to people’s homes. From the day we opened our first store in Chicago in 1962 to the digital innovations that engage millions of customers today, our iconic brand is over 60 years in the making—and our story is still unfolding.

We’re here for it. We think you should be too. We’re looking for a driven professional with an inclusive mindset to join our team as an Allocation Planner.

The Allocation Planner oversees the allocation of Housewares or Furniture to support the day-to-day activities of the Regional and Store Allocation process, ensuring we have the right inventory in the right place, at the right time to exceed customer expectations across all channels and locations of business. This role works closely with the Store Planning teams to be accountable for strategies that maximize sales and inventory productivity that meet in stock service level KPIs at the category and store level.


This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL offices with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Primary Responsibilities:
Oversee the allocation forecasting for inventory via an omnichannel lens for regional, store, and market based on trends and merchandising strategies.
Perform allocation hindsighting to improve future allocation and drive profitability.
Analyze and manage the dotted line team that owns the allocation of seasonal and end-of-life core products to maximize sales and profitability by collaborating with Outlet Planning.
Collaborate with the Merchandise Planner and Manager, Allocation, to identify and react to business needs to drive sales and profitability.
Analyze product flow and sales trends by region to accurately forecast future product needs.
Create and document best practices and create training materials for allocation.
Represent Allocation as a stakeholder for company projects and initiatives that impact inventory management.
Partner with the Manager, Systems Maintenance, to analyze, manage, and research forecasting components that would impact store inventory levels
Create the targets for initial regional allocation based on historical or strategic goals.
System business owner with Associate Director, Allocation on screens, and continuous improvement for best functionality

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to summarize large sets of data and provide recaps to a variety of audiences
Ability to learn new software and support the launch of new inventory management and merchandising systems
Aptitude for spreadsheets and planning tools
Understanding of the annual and seasonal buying plans, distribution needs and requirements, and goals of the Merchandising team.
Good communication skills, work consistency, and accuracy
Ability to leverage data and analytics to make/support decisions
Strong attention to detail
Experience in utilizing reporting and inventory management tools to monitor in-stock levels
Experience building effective relationships and communicating cross-functionally
Ability to learn new software and support the launch of new inventory management and merchandising systems

Experience Required:
A minimum of 3 years of retail planning and allocation experience
Experience with inventory management, IT systems, product pipeline process design, and promotional strategies
Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Minimum Starting Rate: $80,000.00 Annually

Up to: $100,000.00 Annually

Pay ranges will be adjusted upward as needed to comply with applicable state and local law. In addition to your salary, based on your role, associates may be eligible for other compensation including bonuses, sales incentives, and long term incentives.