Director, Planning (Walmart)

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

The Director of Planning will lead the strategic planning function across sales, inventory, and merchandise for one of our largest retail partners. This role is responsible for driving financial performance, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring flawless execution of modular and promotional strategies. The Director will also oversee a team of planners and sales operations coordinators, ensuring operational excellence in day-to-day execution.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Financial Leadership

• Develop and own 12-month revenue, margin, and inventory plans in partnership with Sales and Finance
• Lead reconciliation of top-down and bottom-up forecasts, ensuring alignment with Walmart’s open-to-buy (OTB) and modular strategies.
• Present business performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership and Walmart partners, driving consensus on investment strategies.

Merchandise & Assortment Planning

• Guide seasonal assortment planning, integrating historical performance, trend analysis, and Walmart modular requirements.
• Oversee line reviews and product walkthroughs with Walmart buyers, ensuring alignment with financial goals and product strategy.
• Responsible for managing Annual Event program

Operational Oversight & Execution

• Supervise execution of ladder plans, buyer reports, daily sales trackers, and ad hoc analyses.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of inbound trackers, purchase order logs, and allocation management.
• Oversee item setup and maintenance in Walmart systems (ADS/AEX, item master), including validation of specs, pricing, and packaging.
• Approve POW and QIWS entries and validate SAP data integrity.
• Ensure compliance of price tickets and carton markings with Walmart standards

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a team of planners and sales ops coordinators, fostering analytical rigor and cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide coaching and development plans to build a high-performing, detail-oriented team.
• Delegate and oversee execution of junior-level tasks while maintaining accountability for overall planning excellence

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the key planning liaison between Sales, Production, Design, and Walmart merchant teams.
• Lead weekly business reviews and planning meetings, driving alignment on priorities, timelines, and execution.

Our Best Fit Candidate Would Have

• 10+ years of planning experience in wholesale or retail; Walmart account experience strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership in managing planning teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Deep familiarity with Walmart systems: Retail Link, Scintilla, Supplier One, Luminate, SAP.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and planning tools; experience with ladder planning, modular execution, and inventory forecasting.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in apparel or licensed categories is a plus.
• Travel to Walmart is required.

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: $138,000 - $165,000

 

At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive