Merchandise Planning Analyst

4/24/2026

The Merchandise Planning Analyst will manage inventory financial strategies by creating sales and inventory plans to optimize profitability. They will collaborate with buying teams to develop assortment strategies and maintain performance dashboards to track key metrics.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

Dunham's Sports, one of the largest full-line sporting goods chains in the U.S., was founded in 1937 as Dunham's Bait & Tackle. We got our start in Waterford, Michigan, just outside Detroit, and today we have our corporate home in Troy, Michigan. Now we've grown into a complete sports outfitter serving customers in over 20 states, with over 250+ stores. We continue to open Dunham's Sports stores in new and established markets. Dunham's has built its reputation on selection, quality and value: unsurpassed choice of national brands at low prices...every day. Every one of our more than 250 stores offers a complete line of sporting goods, athletic equipment, active sports gear and leisure apparel. ________________________________________ Philosophy Our motto at Dunham’s Sports is Big Names…Low Prices. Every day we give our customers the choice of the name brands they want, at the lowest prices possible. We stock a remarkable range of popular national brands, while our immense buying power makes it possible for us to combine value and quality in everything we sell. You will notice this in every Dunham’s Sports store you go into where you will find Hot Deals and Sport Values at prices that may be too low to advertise. So the next time you’re thinking sports… Get in the game at Dunham’s Sports, where our big names bring you in and our low prices bring you back!

About the Role

Overview

Dunham’s Sports Corporate Office, located in Troy, MI, has an immediate opening for a Merchandise Planning Analyst. We are looking for a curious and innovative team player to join our growing Analytics team, in-person at our headquarters.

Responsibilities

As a Merchandise Planning Analyst, you will bring the financial strategy of our product vision to life by providing insights and guidance for our largest financial asset – our inventory. You will drive the success of our product lines by simulating data discoveries for profitability and productivity roadmaps.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Performance Analysis:Analyze historical performance and current trends to identify risks and opportunities by style, category and department.
Forecasting & Planning:Create sales and inventory ladder plans (weekly/monthly/quarterly) that align with company budgets.
Inventory Optimization:Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) reports, forecasting receipt flow to ensure optimal inventory levels and maximize inventory turn while minimizing markdowns.
Assortment Planning:Collaborate with Buying teams to develop assortment strategies that marry brand vision with customer needs.
Reporting:Build and maintain comprehensive reporting dashboards tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sell-through, inventory turn, and margin.
Cross-functional Collaboration:Partner with Buying and Planning to align inventory needs with sales opportunities.

Qualifications

Experience: 1–3+ years of experience in retail planning, allocation, inventory management, or merchandise analysis.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Statistics, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, v-lookups, complex formulas) is essential.
Analytical Aptitude: Strong retail math skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business recommendations.
Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present findings to cross-functional partners and senior management.

Benefits Include

Merchandise discount
Health, dental and vision coverage
Prescription plan
Life, STD, LTD Insurance
Vacation and PTO days
401 (K) Savings plan

Key Skills

Retail planningInventory managementMerchandise analysisFinancial strategyData forecastingOpen-to-buy reportingAssortment planningMicrosoft ExcelRetail mathData analysisKPI trackingCross-functional collaborationCommunication skillsInventory optimizationTrend analysis