Full-Time

Merchandise Planner

Posted on 9/11/2026

KnitWell Group

KnitWell Group

Operates multiple apparel brands nationwide

No salary listed

Fort Myers, FL, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
Inventory Management
Forecasting
Financial analysis
Data Analysis
Excel/Numbers/Sheets

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Requirements
  • At least 4 years of experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, financial planning, or financial analysis.
  • At least 3 years of retail experience in merchandising, buying, or allocation.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, numerical aptitude, retail mathematics skills, and understanding of forecasting methodology.
  • Ability to make decisions with limited information and synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present complex information and recommendations concisely to varied audiences.
  • System proficiency with strong emphasis on Microsoft Excel.
  • Ability to build collaborative cross-functional partnerships and identify and influence critical stakeholders.
Responsibilities
  • Develop annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly plans using current sales and trend information.
  • Translate the Merchant's vision into viable plans and profitable results across omnichannel channels.
  • Partner with Merchants to develop pre-season sales, markdown, margin, receipt, and inventory plans.
  • Develop projections and inventory flow for key items and collections.
  • Provide analysis related to business goals, including hindsight analysis and color-selling analysis.
  • Forecast monthly and seasonal plans to ensure orders remain within approved financial targets.
  • Analyze and respond to strategy performance based on actual sales and current trend performance.
  • Prepare for and participate in Merchandise Review meetings, including monthly business reviews and seasonal hindsight reviews.
  • Partner with Merchants to develop and propose tactics in response to current business trends.
  • Make recommendations for key financial meetings and decisions to maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
  • Develop sales, markdown, receipt, and inventory reforecasts through the monthly plan review process.
  • Manage and execute promotional and liquidation strategy.
  • Communicate revisions within the team and across functions.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to use seasonal selling curves by region, climate, and store attributes.
  • Identify opportunities beyond everyday business to maximize sales potential.
Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree in finance, operations, or business.

KnitWell Group unites several well-known women’s fashion brands—Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, and White House Black Market—into a large specialty apparel company in the United States with around $6 billion in annual sales. Its products are women’s clothing and accessories sold under these brands through stores and online, spanning a mix of styles and sizes across its portfolio. The company differentiates itself by operating a broad brand family rather than a single label, offering multiple price tiers and fit options through its brands to serve a wide range of customers, and leveraging both mall-based and e-commerce channels for omnichannel shopping. KnitWell Group’s goal is to provide accessible, brand-led fashion across its network of labels and stores, growing its market share in the specialty apparel segment.

Company Size

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Company Stage

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Total Funding

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Headquarters

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • KnitWell added Sarah Evans as CHRO on March 24, 2026, sharpening retention and culture execution.
  • The company still serves 21 million customers, giving it a large cross-brand loyalty base.
  • June 2026 board additions and ongoing lease non-renewals show active portfolio optimization, not disorder.

What critics are saying

  • Selective 2026 closures at LOFT, Ann Taylor, Chico's, and Talbots signal shrinking store productivity.
  • Revelio Labs showed KnitWell headcount down 2.2% in 2026, implying operating leverage pressure.
  • If mall traffic weakens further, Sycamore could force deeper cuts and brand consolidation by 2027.

What makes KnitWell Group unique

  • Sycamore-backed KnitWell runs eight women’s brands across 3,000 stores, spanning ages and price points.
  • Lizanne Kindler, Boston Fed chair in 2026, gives KnitWell unusual merchant discipline and network access.
  • Jessica Sibley joined the board June 23, 2026, strengthening brand, media, and customer-growth expertise.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

Company News

PR Newswire
Jun 23rd, 2026
TIME CEO Jessica Sibley joins KnitWell Group board of directors

KnitWell Group has appointed Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, to its board of directors. Sibley brings over two decades of experience in brand transformation and growth across global media organisations. As TIME's CEO since 2022, Sibley has led the 103-year-old brand's evolution into a diversified global enterprise spanning journalism, digital media, live events and television production. She previously served as chief operating officer and chief revenue officer at Forbes, and held senior roles at The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. KnitWell Group operates eight American apparel brands including Ann Taylor, Chico's, LOFT and Talbots, serving over 21 million customers. The company is backed by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

PR Newswire
Mar 24th, 2026
Sarah Evans named chief human resources officer at KnitWell Group

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail apparel company with eight American brands, has appointed Sarah Evans as chief human resources officer. Evans will lead human resources across KnitWell's portfolio, which includes Ann Taylor, Chico's, Lane Bryant, LOFT and Talbots, whilst overseeing corporate communications, belonging and philanthropy. Evans brings extensive experience from large, multi-channel businesses. Most recently, she served as chief human resources officer at Ocean Spray, leading global human resources and corporate communications. Previously, she held senior HR roles at Terminix and Walmart, supporting workforces ranging from 4,000 to over two million employees worldwide. KnitWell Group serves more than 21 million customers nationwide and operates as one of the largest speciality apparel companies in the United States.

First for Women
Mar 8th, 2025
See Ann Taylor's New Look: A Rebrand That's Still Classic, Chic and Made for Women of All Generations

Then, in 2015, Ann Inc. was acquired by Ascena Retail Group for $2.16 billion.