Assortment Planner

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

As an Assortment Planner you will support the planning and execution of assortment and inventory strategies across the Factory Outlet channel. This role is responsible for inventory forecasting, Open-to-Buy (OTB) validation, assortment analysis, and inventory lifecycle management to support sales and inventory productivity goals.

Working closely with Merchandising, Retail Planning, Supply Chain, and Retail Operations teams, you will monitor inventory performance, identify inventory risks and opportunities, and support cross-channel inventory optimization to ensure healthy stock levels throughout the season.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Open to Buy management

• Support seasonal Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning by reviewing allocated budgets and validating buying opportunities against inventory projections.
• Develop inventory projections to assess future inventory positions and buying capacity prior to OTB confirmation.
• Monitor inventory levels, Weeks of Supply (WOS), and inventory productivity to identify inventory risks and opportunities.
• Partner with Merchandising and Retail Planning teams to align inventory plans with sales and inventory targets.

Assortment Planning & Performance Analysis

• Support assortment planning through sales, inventory, and size-level analysis.
• Analyze category, style, color, and size performance to identify assortment opportunities and risks.
• Provide assortment recommendations based on historical performance, inventory availability, and business needs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of seasonal assortments through in-season and post-season performance reviews, translating key learnings into future assortment recommendations.
• Partner with Merchandising and Retail Planning teams to support assortment decisions aligned with channel objectives.

Inventory Lifecycle & Cross-Channel Optimization

• Proactively monitor slow-moving inventory and identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity.
• Lead cross-channel inventory optimization by identifying slow-moving products in Full Price channels and driving timely inventory transfers into Outlet stores to maximize inventory productivity and product lifecycle value.
• Execute inventory transfer, rebalancing, and inventory recovery initiatives to support outlet inventory productivity.
• Support markdown planning, inventory aging reviews, and inventory exit strategies to maximize sell-through and inventory recovery.
• Monitor outlet inventory composition to maintain an appropriate balance between carryover, transferred, and seasonal products.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Merchandising, Retail Planning, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, and Store teams to support business and inventory objectives.
• Ensure alignment on inventory priorities, transfer plans, and assortment strategies across Full Price and Outlet channels.
• Coordinate inventory flow and delivery timing to support optimal product availability in Outlet stores.
• Communicate inventory risks, opportunities, and action plans to key stakeholders through regular business reviews and reporting.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS

• 4-6 years of experience in Merchandise Planning, Inventory Planning, Allocation, Buying, or Retail Planning.
• Experience within Fashion, Footwear, Sporting Goods, Retail, Outlet, or Off-Price businesses preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales, inventory, and assortment performance data.
• Experience supporting inventory forecasting, inventory projection, allocation, replenishment, or inventory management processes.
• Understanding of key retail metrics including Sell-through, Inventory Turn, Weeks of Supply (WOS), and Aged Inventory.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar reporting tools is a plus.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Business proficiency in both Korean and English.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Work with all levels of stakeholders/ Collaborative/ Pro-active / Strong sense of ownership/ Commercially minded / Strategic storyteller / Detail-oriented / Data-oriented / Adaptable in a fast-paced environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location: Seoul Anguk, Korea / Department: Merchandising / Reports to: Merchandising Planning Manager

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYEER

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.