Director, Planning - (WSS)

Great brands reflect culture. The best ones help shape it. At Foot Locker, we’re rooted in sport, powered by style, and driven by the communities that move both. From Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker to Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos, our brands sit at the intersection of sport, style, and self-expression. As part of the DICK’S Sporting Goods family, you’re backed by the resources, reach, and career opportunities of a world-class sports company. That unleashes Foot Locker to keep pushing forward with the agility and edge that define the brand. We’re looking for great people who want to influence culture and the generation that is shaping what’s next. Whether you’re building strategy, shaping innovations, or creating unforgettable customer moments, you’ll contribute to decisions and experiences that define our brands’ impact in the communities we serve. Come change the game with us. Apply today! The Director, Planning is responsible for leading the merchandise planning function and developing financial and inventory strategies that support company sales, margin, and profitability objectives. This role oversees the development and execution of merchandise plans, forecasts, open-to-buy, and inventory strategies across assigned categories. The Director partners closely with Merchandising, Allocation, Finance, and other cross-functional leaders to identify business opportunities and risks, optimize inventory productivity, and support informed business decisions. This position provides strategic leadership to the Planning team and ensures planning processes, tools, and reporting effectively support the needs of the business.

Lead the development and execution of annual, seasonal, and in-season merchandise financial plans, including sales, margin, inventory, receipts, and turn objectives. Oversee forecasting and open-to-buy management to align inventory investments with sales trends, financial targets, and business priorities. Analyze business performance, identify sales, margin, inventory, and profitability opportunities and risks, and recommend appropriate actions. Partner with Merchandising and Allocation leadership to develop category, assortment, and inventory strategies that support customer demand and financial objectives. Provide strategic guidance on inventory investments, receipt flow, markdowns, promotions, and other actions impacting sales and inventory productivity. Lead business reviews and communicate key trends, financial performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership. Collaborate with Finance to align merchandise plans and forecasts with company financial objectives and develop scenario plans to evaluate business opportunities and risks. Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including sales, gross margin, inventory turnover, weeks of supply, sell-through, and markdowns. Drive continuous improvement of planning processes, reporting, tools, and methodologies to improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making. Lead, coach, and develop the Planning team, building capabilities to support current and future business needs. Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Allocation, Finance, Store Operations, Supply Chain, and other teams to support business priorities. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, Economics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 8–10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, financial planning,