Sr. Merchandise Planner at PetSmart in Burlington, Ontario, CA

About the Team

PetSmart’s Canada Home Office (CHO) is home to approximately 50+ associates who work in departments such as Merchandising, Marketing, Demand Planning, Pricing, Space Planning, Digital/e-Commerce, Human Resources, Legal, IT and more. The small but mighty team at the CHO supports the operations of 160+ PetSmart stores in Canada and works closely with counterparts at PetSmart’s global corporate headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona. We also share the Canada Home Office with our colleagues at PetSmart Charities of Canada—an independent, registered charity. PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them by connecting pets with loving homes through adoption, improving access to veterinary care and supporting families in times of crisis with access to pet food, shelter, and emergency relief.

About the Location

**Collaborative Work Environment:**At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Canada Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of three days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to two remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job

The Sr. Merchandise Planner is responsible for the development of accurate annual reporting, forecasting financial and merchandising plans that support the merchandise strategy and financial objectives for Canada.

KEY COMPETENCIES

This position requires analytical & critical thinking skills, robust financial modeling skills, effective communication across all levels of the organization, organizational abilities, high attention to detail, ability to work independently and run with small projects from start to finish.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

• Create and review all components rolling forecasting processes with the primary focus on Merchandise Sales, Margin, Inventory and achieve goals as designated to plan for Canada
• Partner with Merchandising and Supply Chain teams to reforecast Sales, Margin & Inventory for business according to trends and new information, provide insight and recommendations to maximize sales, margin and inventory productivity based on financial analysis
• Assist with financial presentation creation for various strategic meetings (ie. Direction Setting, Line Reviews, Vendor, Quarterly Business Review, etc.)
• Perform merchandise-related analytics, including but not limited to foreign exchange impacts, promotional performance, and mix/rate. Partner closely with merchant teams to review and optimize promotions and offers on a monthly cadence, with a focus on maximizing sales and incrementality while effectively managing markdown spend.
• Report, analyze and execute all product exits – all clearance Activity, focusing on reducing leftover clearance inventory while meeting markdown $ targets.
• Develop and enhance various financial reporting dependent on business needs
• Support Vendor terms negotiations
• Lead special projects that create growth opportunities and present findings to senior management
• Generate and present weekly and period-end reporting
• This position will work to develop a knowledge of planning practices and alignment with merchandising, promotional and assortment strategies.
• This position will leverage their analytical skill sets to influence the decision-making process and deliver the merchandise plan objectives.
• Build great working relationships with U.S. counterparts

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Post-graduate degree required. Completed or working towards a CMA /CPA or MBA preferred. Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in a business environment. Experience in retail or consumer packaged goods preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Advanced Excel & Alteryx proficiency
• Robust financial modeling skills
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally across departments and with US to create decisions
• Organizational skills
• High attention to detail
• BI and MicroStrategy an asset
• JDA Enterprising Planning experience preferred
• Experience implementing systems is an asset

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our Canada Home Office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Bring your pup to work! We have lots of dogs that come each day as well as fish and aquatic pets that live at our office
• On-site Dog Park
• Café serving fresh lunch options
• In-building day care facility option
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• We have an active social committee that hosts fun-filled events including contests, bake-offs, off-site events, and volunteer efforts, and they are always trying to out-do the previous event! See what life is like at the Canada Home Office here: https://careers.petsmart.com/canada
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/

This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role. PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.