Director – Location Planning & Allocation

About us

LOFT creates modern, feminine, versatile clothing for women with one common style goal: to look and feel confident wherever the day takes them. We empower women to find their authentic self-expression because feeling like yourself is always in style.Here at LOFT, we're busy styling the careers and supporting the lives of everyday optimists just like you. Express your authentic self and experience endless inspiration, all while enjoying the opportunities and benefits that help you get the most from your career, life, and wardrobe.

Director, Location Planning & Allocation

About the Position:

We are seeking a Director of Location Planning & Allocation (for Ann Taylor, LOFT and Outlets) to lead a multi-chain team responsible for developing inventory strategies that optimize sales, profitability and customer satisfaction across all channels and formats. This role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking and the ability to adapt to a dynamic retail landscape. The candidate must have strong leadership skills and possess the ability to manage and influence within a diverse corporate environment. Experience successfully managing with a high-growth store environment is a must.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Omni-channel allocation strategies aligned with merchandising plans, ensuring products are distributed based on sales trends, store clustering and inventory needs
• Monitor inventory levels, forecast demand and manage receipt flows to distribution centers and stores, optimizing inventory placement across channels
• Analyze sales, customer trends and inventory performance to refine allocation strategies and identify opportunities for improvement
• Work closely with merchandising, supply chain and operations teams to align allocation strategies with company goals and omni-channel objectives
• Regularly conduct, with partnership from Real Estate, Finance, Operations and Field Leadership, a thorough evaluation of Store performance and potential with the goal of improving inventory productivity
• Develop strategies to support new stores – partnering with operations teams to align allocation strategies with marketing plans, visual standards and store opening schedules; lead and train the team to handle the complexities of rapid expansion while maintaining operational consistency; analyze sales and inventory data post-opening to refine allocation strategies and ensure profitability across new locations
• Recommend location planning opportunities to maximize revenue, profitability and market presence
• Partner with Real Estate, Finance, Operations and Regional leaders to evaluate site performance and potential with the goal toward optimizing store productivity
• Utilize data-driven insights to adjust inventory levels based on store performance, customer demographics, and seasonal trends, ensuring optimal turn, sell-through, and profitability
• Develop and refine allocation strategies to minimize markdowns, maximize full-price sell-through and enhance SKU productivity by store clusters
• Act as a subject matter expert on cross-functional projects to drive profitability and operational efficiency, while proposing process changes, tools and reporting improvements to streamline inventory management tasks
• Contribute to the development of brand initiatives, ensuring all planning activities support annual goals and drive profitability
• Monitor and evaluate replenishment strategies, stock levels, turn by store, in-stocks, fill rates, and forecast accuracy, recommending enhancements to improve performance
• Develop and maintain best practices for allocation and replenishment processes across all channels, including ship-from-store to meet e-commerce demand
• Lead and mentor a team of Location and Planning and Allocation professionals to ensure accurate and timely execution of allocation plans; mentor, coach, and develop individuals - focusing on improving analytical acumen, creative problem solving and adapting to business needs; fostering a culture of accountability and innovation

Experience and Qualifications:

• 10+ years’ experience in retail allocation, planning or inventory management within a specialty retail environment, 3-5 years’ experience managing teams.
• Proven track record managing in vertically integrated, multi-channel retail environments; Outlet channel experience a plus
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; advanced degree a plus
• Strong analytical and strategic-thinking abilities
• Expert in retail math and financial measurement concepts
• Proven ability to present complex financial material in a concise, executive-level, and compelling manner to help influence direction; strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data
• Experience in process change management and project management
• Accomplished team player; effective at working with cross-functional Ability to work productively in a team environment; proven ability to influence and negotiate
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Self-driven, independent working style

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.  
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities. *  
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K)* 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Time off – paid time off & holidays*
• The target salary range for this role is: $150-180k

*Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

This position works a hybrid model with a minimum of 3 days per week (Tu/Wed/Th) at our Times Square Tower office location in NYC and 2 days per week remote.   

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

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Location:

Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [email protected]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.