Merchandise Planning Manager

Civil Clothing Inc. is seeking a highly analytical and detail-driven Merchandise Planning Manager to support and elevate our growing Darc Sport team in Torrance. In this role, you will lead merchandise planning and performance analysis across seasonal drops, helping ensure every launch is strategically planned, financially sound, and positioned to maximize sell-through.

You will work closely with Buying, Design, Production, and E-Commerce teams to build data-informed plans, analyze product performance, and identify opportunities across assortments, size curves, and inventory allocation. This role requires someone who is comfortable digging deeply into data, identifying patterns in product performance, and translating insights into actionable recommendations that strengthen future launches.

The ideal candidate brings strong financial and analytical skills. You understand how to interpret selling, evaluate product performance, and forecast demand to support fast-moving, drop-driven product strategies.

At Civil, we value clarity, accountability, and strong execution. We trust our team to take ownership, communicate proactively, and move with intention. In this role, your work will help ensure that every drop is thoughtfully planned, informed by data and trends, and positioned to deliver strong sell-through while supporting the continued growth of the Darc Sport brand.

What You’ll Do

Merchandise Planning & Financial Strategy

• Own merchandise planning across seasonal drops, building data-driven plans that support revenue targets, inventory efficiency, and strong sell-through performance.
• Develop forecasts using historical performance, sell-through data, and demand patterns to inform assortment and inventory strategies.
• Analyze product performance at the style, silhouette, and size level, providing recommendations on size curves, product mix, and inventory allocation.
• Deliver seasonal hindsight analysis to evaluate launch performance and inform future assortment and inventory decisions.
• Maintain awareness of consumer trends, product demand signals, and category performance to support informed planning decisions.

Sales Analysis & Forecasting

• Analyze sales performance, product velocity, inventory levels, and margin trends to identify opportunities and risks across seasonal drops.
• Build and maintain forecasting models to support demand planning, inventory allocation, and sell-through targets.
• Utilize platforms such as Shopify, NetSuite, and advanced Excel tools to analyze product performance and support merchandise planning decisions.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and seasonal performance recaps, translating data into clear insights and recommendations for cross-functional teams.

Drop Planning & Inventory Optimization

• Partner with cross-functional teams to plan inventory strategies for drop-driven product launches, ensuring alignment with sell-through and sell-out targets.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend adjustments to support product flow, minimize excess inventory, and maximize profitability.
• Evaluate launch performance and provide actionable insights to strengthen future product and inventory planning.

Strategic Initiatives & Licensing Support

• Support analysis for new product opportunities and licensing initiatives, providing financial and performance insights.
• Contribute data-driven recommendations that support category expansion and long-term growth strategies.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain strong organization across planning tools, reporting frameworks, and seasonal calendars.
• Identify risks in inventory, demand forecasts, or launch timing and escalate proactively.
• Operate with ownership, accountability, and a solutions-oriented mindset in a fast-paced, drop-driven environment.

Culture & Team Collaboration

• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive team environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
• Build strong partnerships across Licensing, Design, Production, E-Commerce, and Finance teams to support aligned execution.
• Demonstrate professionalism, urgency, and pride in execution, bringing reliability and strong follow-through to every launch.

What You Bring

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales performance, sell-through trends, inventory levels, and forecasting metrics.
• Advanced Excel proficiency for reporting, forecasting, and merchandise planning analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reporting and cross-functional communication.
• Ability to analyze size selling, silhouette performance, and assortment productivity to inform planning decisions.
• Strong forecasting and planning capabilities, including seasonal hindsight analysis and demand planning.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and recommendations for cross-functional teams.
• Professional, collaborative mindset with strong problem-solving and follow-through.

Education & Experience

• 3–5+ years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, merchandising, or a related analytical role within retail or e-commerce.
• Experience working in a direct-to-consumer or e-commerce environment; familiarity with Shopify and ERP systems such as NetSuite preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Finance, Economics, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in apparel, streetwear, action sports, or active lifestyle brands strongly preferred.

Physical & Mental Demands

• This role is primarily office-based with regular use of standard office equipment.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and move throughout office, showroom, or production environments as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move materials or product weighing up to 25 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visual requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in varied environments, including exposure to noise, temperature fluctuations, and occasional outdoor elements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and shifting demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to maintain focus, sound judgment, and professional communication while navigating time-sensitive issues.
• This role may require flexibility in work hours during peak campaign periods.

Why You’ll Love Working at Civil

At Civil Clothing we foster a collaborative, fast-moving environment where ownership is valued, ideas are welcomed, and execution matters. You’ll work alongside passionate, experienced teams who care deeply about craftsmanship, accountability, and bringing product to market the right way.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact, your decisions directly influence our product quality, timelines, and growth. If you thrive in a hands-on, solutions-driven environment and want your work to be seen, felt, and worn, you’ll feel right at home here.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation: $90K – $100K annually, depending on experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Employee merchandise discounts
• Opportunity to grow with a respected and evolving apparel brand

Equal Opportunity Employer

Civil Clothing Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.