Full-Time

Director – Merchandise Planning

Merchandise Planning

Posted on 9/24/2025

Away

Away

501-1,000 employees

Direct-to-consumer luggage and accessories retailer

Compensation Overview

$155k - $160k/yr

+ Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan + Equity Grant

New York, NY, USA

In Person

This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week.

Category
Operations & Logistics (2)
,
Required Skills
Supply Chain Management
Inventory Management
Data Analysis
Excel/Numbers/Sheets
Requirements
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in planning and inventory management; experience in a consumer goods, fashion, or retail environment required
  • Strong analytical thinker who can turn numbers into narratives and use data to influence decisions
  • Deeply comfortable in Excel/Google Sheets, and know how to build tools, models, and forecasts that scale
  • Ability to balance risk, cash, and customer demand
  • Dynamic team leader who wants to set the vision for a best-in-class, scaling merchandising planning function
  • Builder by nature who seeks to improve processes and discover new ways of working as business grows and evolves
  • Creative and innovative; loves to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand
  • Agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment
  • Passionate about transforming travel for all
Responsibilities
  • Build processes and ways of working for a multi-channel merchandising planning team, including DTC and wholesale
  • Lead forecasting and inventory strategy for total Away business, rolling up and reporting out for all three channels of business
  • Partner with Merchandising, Wholesale, and Allocation teams to drive in-season and pre-season business
  • Drive the forecasting process with the finance team, ensuring cross-functional alignment around category growth and inventory efficiency expectations
  • Own the day-to-day management and forecasting of the retail business
  • Serve as the Merchandise planning point of contact for cross-functional teams
  • Contribute to the product development calendar by surfacing demand insights and white space opportunities
  • Ensure planning decisions are aligned with broader company goals, including financial pacing, margin targets, and supply chain constraints

Away designs and sells luggage and travel accessories directly to consumers. The products include suitcases, bags, and travel accessories crafted to be durable, practical, and stylish for modern travelers. The company uses a direct-to-consumer model, selling through its website and physical stores, which helps control the customer experience and keep prices competitive. It differentiates itself through a strong emphasis on quality and design, supported by services like a 100-day trial, free shipping, and free returns, plus a promise that products are built to last. Away also targets corporate gifting and operates in multiple countries, expanding its global reach. The goal is to make travel gear a reliable, stylish, and customer-friendly choice, expanding access to high-quality luggage while redefining the travel goods market.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$216M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2015

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Lifetime warranty and 100-day returns build strong customer loyalty.
  • 17 stores in US, UK, Canada enable in-person premium product trials.
  • Partnerships like DICK'S Sporting Goods expand to active travelers.

What critics are saying

  • Amazon Basics undercuts with 40-60% cheaper comparable hardshells.
  • Samsonite dominates 35-40% market via airport retail and loyalties.
  • Brexit tariffs raise EU costs 8-15% eroding price advantage.

What makes Away unique

  • Away integrates built-in phone chargers in hardshell suitcases for modern travelers.
  • Vertically-integrated DTC model cuts middlemen for affordable premium luggage.
  • Offers hardshell and softside options in 10+ colors with 360° wheels.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

401(k) with a company match

Flexible spending, health savings & commuter benefits

PTO

Paid Parental Leave

Short & Long-term disability

Product stipends and recognition awards

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
Flight Delayed
Apr 2nd, 2026
Best suitcases for UK travellers: expert picks for travel luggage.

Best suitcases for UK travellers: expert picks for travel luggage. Thursday, April 2, 2026 Choosing the right suitcase can make or break your travel experience. After years of handling flight delays and cancellations, Flight Delayed has heard enough stories to understand what makes luggage truly reliable for UK travellers. What makes a suitcase worth buying in 2026? The best suitcases combine durability with airline compatibility. Look for polycarbonate shells that withstand rough baggage handling, smooth-rolling spinner wheels, and TSA-approved locks. Weight matters too - lighter cases mean more room for your belongings within airline limits. Quality construction protects your belongings and reduces the risk of damage that could complicate your travels. Best suitcases for UK travellers: its top picks. Best suitcase overall: samsonite Essens spinner (75cm). Price: £209 | Dimensions: 75 x 52 x 33cm | Weight: 4.3kg The Essens offers exceptional durability with its polypropylene construction and reliable four-wheel system. At 4.3kg, it's surprisingly lightweight for its 111-litre capacity, maximizing your packing allowance. Its design offers high structural strength, while the interior compartments, which also include removable packing cubes, simplify your packing and keep you organized throughout your travels. What sets it apart: The three-point locking system provides superior security, while the built-in lock prevents damage during handling. Interior compression straps and dividers keep your belongings organized and in place during turbulent flights. The polypropylene material flexes under pressure rather than cracking, making it ideal for rough baggage handling at busy UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick. Best for: Families and leisure travellers who need reliable, spacious luggage without premium pricing. Best suitcase for frequent flyers: Away The Large (70cm). Price: £295 | Dimensions: 70 x 47 x 28cm | Weight: 5.4kg Offered in 10 different colors, Away's The Large is designed for 2+ weeks away, and features their signature interior compression system, laundry bag and an underside grab handle to make packing and maneuvering the suitcase easy. The polycarbonate shell withstands frequent handling, while the 360-degree spinner wheels glide effortlessly. The compression system and interior organization will keep business travellers efficient across multiple trips. What sets it apart: Hidden laundry bag and compression zippers maximize packing efficiency. The scratch-resistant matte finish maintains professional appearance despite heavy use. Interior organization includes garment folder and shoe bags, perfect for business trips requiring wrinkle-free clothing. Best for: Business travellers and frequent flyers who value organization and connectivity features. Best budget option: Tripp Holiday 8 large (75cm). Price: £65 (Amazon) | Dimensions: 76 x 50 x 32cm | Weight: 4.2kg Tripp delivers remarkable value with their Holiday 8 series, offering essential features at an unbeatable price. The lightweight ABS construction and four-wheel system provide smooth mobility, while the spacious 102-litre capacity suits family holidays. The fixed combination lock and reinforced corners add security without complexity. What sets it apart: At 4.2kg, it's one of the lightest large suitcases available, leaving maximum room for belongings within airline weight limits. The simple design eliminates unnecessary features that could break, focusing on core functionality. Interior cross-straps and zippered divider keep items secure during handling. Available in 7 different colours to suit personal preferences. Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, students, and families needing affordable reliable luggage for occasional trips. Best premium choice: July checked plus (76cm). Price: £395 | Dimensions: 76 x 50 x 32cm | Weight: 4.8kg July's premium polycarbonate shell, combined with custom anodised aluminium corner bumpers, offers superior impact resistance. The distinctive minimalist design features SilentMoveTM wheels and a lifetime warranty. At 4.8kg for 110 litres capacity, it achieves an excellent weight-to-space ratio. What sets it apart: The polycarbonate shell provides exceptional durability, while the wheels are whisper-quiet and virtually indestructible. The lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects indefinitely. Interior features premium fabric lining, compression zippers, and removable garment folder. The minimalist exterior design ages beautifully while maintaining professional appearance. Best for: Luxury travellers and those seeking a lifetime investment in premium luggage. Which suitcase brands offer the best value? Samsonite and Antler consistently deliver reliable performance across price ranges. Premium brands like Away and July offer superior materials and warranties that justify higher costs for frequent travellers. Frequently asked questions about suitcases. Do hard shell cases crack easily? Quality polycarbonate shells flex rather than crack. Cheaper ABS plastic is more prone to cracking but remains functional for occasional use. What size suitcase can I take as checked baggage? Most UK airlines allow checked bags up to 158cm (length + width + height) and 23kg. Always verify with your specific airline before travelling. Are hard shell or soft shell suitcases better? Hard shell cases offer superior protection for fragile items and resist water damage. Soft shell cases provide more flexibility and external pockets but offer less protection. How long should a quality suitcase last? A well-made suitcase should withstand 5-10 years of regular use. Premium brands often offer warranties reflecting their expected lifespan. Experienced flight disruptions that left you out of pocket? If your flight was delayed over 3 hours, cancelled with short notice, or you were denied boarding, you might be entitled to compensation of up to €600 under EU261 - European regulation which protects your passenger rights. Check your eligibility and start your claim with Flight Delayed today - no win, no fee.

Travel + Leisure
Mar 27th, 2026
The 9 best Béis travel products, tested and reviewed.

The 9 best Béis travel products, tested and reviewed. Here are the best suitcases, bags, and accessories from Shay Mitchell's luggage brand. Updated on March 27, 2026 Previously known for her role on Pretty Little Liars, Shay Mitchell is now the founder of one of the most trusted luggage brands on the market: Béis. Debuting minimalist-chic luggage to rival the likes of Away, Béis luggage is moderately priced, stylish, and überfunctional, so we had to get our hands on one of pretty much everything. After testing 22 pieces of Béis luggage and other accessories, we can confidently recommend these top items for anyone looking to invest in Béis travel products. We love the unique design features like built-in luggage scales, padded handles, and While we're big fans of the brand's suitcases, we also love the weekenders and overnighters, with extra organized on the go.

The Toy Book
Aug 5th, 2025
McDonald's Reveals Limited-Time McDonaldland Meal

McDonald's is teaming up with Pacsun and Away to celebrate the launch of the McDonaldland meal.

Rust Publishing Ltd
Apr 2nd, 2024
Home and Away previews Leah and Justin's wedding in 52 photos

Home and Away has released brand new photos of Leah and Justin's wedding, which airs on Australian screens next week.

SGB Online
Nov 15th, 2023
Swiftwick appoints new CEO, adds Board Members

Swiftwick, the U.S. manufacturer of performance socks, hired former Away executive Mark Chou as CEO.

INACTIVE