Sr. Director, Merchandise Planning

Join the Pacsun Community

Co-created in Los Angeles, Pacsun exists at the intersection of fashion, music, art, and sport. We’re a lifestyle brand built with and for the next generation, bringing together the culture, creativity, and self-expression that define youth today.

Our curated assortment features some of the most relevant brands and styles in the world, including adidas, Brandy Melville, Fear of God Essentials, alongside Pacsun’s own labels and exclusive collaborations.

But Pacsun is more than what we sell. It’s the community we build.

This is Pacsun. Built with culture. Powered by community.

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About the Job:

Lead Pacsun's omnichannel merchandise planning strategy across stores, ecommerce and marketplaces. Own the sales, margin, inventory and open-to-buy plans that deliver the company's financial goals. Lead a team of planning leaders, and champion the use of data, analytics and AI to make planning faster, smarter and more predictive.

A day in the life, what you’ll be doing:

Strategy & Financial Planning

• Own the company's pre-season and in-season merchandise financial plans (sales, gross margin, markdowns, receipts, inventory and turn) across all channels at the total company, division, department and class levels.
• Partner with the Chief Merchant, Merchandising and Finance leaders to set annual, seasonal and quarterly targets and to build the 3-year long-range plan that supports company strategy.
• Set gross margin, markdown and mix goals (branded, private label, collaborations and new categories) that deliver company profit objectives.
• Lead the open-to-buy (OTB) process and the inventory investment strategy. Balance core depth with chase and test-and-react buys to improve speed to market, turn, GMROI and inventory health.
• Build the assumptions for tariffs, landed cost and freight into margin and receipt plans, and run scenarios when conditions change.

Omnichannel & In-Season Management

• Plan and manage inventory across stores, pacsun.com and the app, and marketplaces. Understand each channel's demand drivers, margin profile and fulfillment model (ship-from-store, BOPIS, DC).
• Lead weekly business reviews. Identify risks and opportunities by channel, category and item, and drive clear actions for the week, month, quarter and season.
• Partner with Marketing and Ecommerce to set promotional and clearance strategies. Own the promotional calendar and the markdown budget.
• Proactively manage aged and slow-moving inventory, using markdown optimization to maximize sellthrough and protect margin.
• Partner with Allocation, Sourcing, DC and Logistics to align receipt flow, capacity and lead times with sales plans.

Leadership & Influence

• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing team of planning Directors, Managers and Planners. Build bench strength and succession plans for key roles.
• Present business performance, strategies and recommendations to the executive team, and prepare planning content for board-level materials.
• Act as a strategic thought partner to Merchandising, Finance, Marketing and Operations leaders, influencing decisions with clear, data-driven recommendations.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement.

AI, Analytics & Innovation

• Champion the use of AI and advanced analytics in planning, including demand forecasting, size and assortment optimization, markdown optimization, and scenario planning.
• Use generative AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) hands-on to automate reporting, speed up analysis and surface insights. Model this curiosity for the team and encourage experimentation.
• Partner with BI and IT to evaluate, select and implement planning systems and AI solutions. Define business requirements, lead change management and measure the return on investment.
• Build AI and data literacy across the planning team. Set standards for data quality, and make sure AIgenerated outputs are validated with sound business judgment.
• Stay current on emerging retail technology, social commerce and creator-driven demand trends, and bring forward new ways of working that give Pacsun a competitive edge.

What it takes to Join:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Mathematics, Economics or a related field. MBA a plus.
• 12+ years of retail merchandise planning experience, including 5+ years leading planning teams at the Director level or above. Specialty apparel and omnichannel experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of delivering sales, margin and inventory goals across both stores and digital channels.
• Deep expertise in financial planning, OTB, inventory productivity and markdown management.
• Experience with enterprise planning systems (e.g., Oracle RPAS/MFP, Blue Yonder, o9, Anaplan) and BI tools (e.g., MicroStrategy, Power BI, Tableau). Advanced Excel skills.
• Demonstrated AI curiosity and fluency: hands-on experience with generative AI tools, and a track record of applying analytics, automation or machine-learning forecasts to improve planning outcomes.
• Ability to understand, question and explain model-driven recommendations, combining data with merchant instinct and business judgment.
• Strategic thinker who can move easily between the big picture and the details.
• Strong executive presence, with excellent communication skills and the ability to tell a clear story with data to senior leadership.
• Change leader who thrives in a fast-paced, test-and-learn environment and adapts quickly to shifting priorities.
• Inspiring people leader with a passion for coaching and developing talent.

Developing the Community/ Leadership Qualities:

• Operate with the highest level of conduct, integrity, and confidentiality; setting the example for leaders and associates.
• Develop and nurture strong cross functional partnerships; driving business results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
• Serve as a Pacsun advocate in the industry and marketplace.
• Recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent that delivers performance excellence.
• As a manager, serve as a leader of company culture, norms, and conduct.
• Ability to balance a strong management presence with a high level of approachability, encouraging and eliciting associate feedback and interaction.

Salary Range: $215,000 - $230,000

Pac Perks:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Competitive short-term incentive program
• Immediate 100% vested 401K contributions and employer match
• Dog friendly office environment
• $1,000 referral incentive program
• Generous associate discount of 30 - 50% off merchandise online and in-stores
• On-site Cafe
• On-site Gym with Fitness Classes
• Ample parking
• Weekly Car Wash Service and more!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; as well as reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in open environment with fluctuating temperatures and standard lighting.
• Ability to work on computer and mobile phone for multiple hours; with frequent interruptions.
• Required to travel in elevator or stairwells to attend meetings and engage with associates on multiple floors throughout building.
• Hotel, Airplane, and Car Travel may be required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. As a National Retailer, occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required during periods of high volume. This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.

Other Considerations:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the role.