It's no surprise people are passionate about the health and happiness of their pet and our Merchandising (buying) team is no different. When it comes to the products and solutions in our stores, our incredible teams of merchandising associates have everything covered – from head to tail! From keeping up with the top trends to developing new, innovative solutions, our buyers help ensure every pet parent can find exactly what their pet needs at PetSmart. Join our team and show your love for pets by creating products as special as pets themselves!
About the Location
Collaborative & Flexible Work Environment: We believe in fostering growth, teamwork and creativity in a dynamic workplace. This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office, where associates currently enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration while having the flexibility to work remotely one day per week (a “flex workday” with leader approval), and an expected four days in the office. At PetSmart, you’ll be part of an engaging and supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.
About the Job
About the Job
The Space Planner is a key associate on the Merch Ops team. In this role, you will build and own an analytics driven visual merchandising strategy that is encompassing of the overarching vision and strategy for the company, as well as, learned customer shopping patterns. You will work collaboratively, blending art and science, using both financial and consumer information to form recommendations enabling decisions that lead to greater profitability and an improved customer shopping experience.
Your goals and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Perform advanced quantitative analysis utilizing internal and external sources to identify growth opportunities by interpreting customer and market behaviors
- Presenting analysis findings to leadership through the Business Planning Process
- Design, articulate, and implement recommendations, based on findings from analysis, that support and increase emphasis on customer centricity and localization
- Measure results of implemented strategies to ensure strategies are achieving expectations
- Own the visual merchandising strategy for product categories within PetSmart that align with customer shopping behavior and decision trees (price, brand or feature, etc.)
- Create and/or maintain planogram assignments within JDA Space Planning that adheres to best practices, standards, and utmost accuracy for seamless in-store execution
- Partner with buying, financial planning, and allocation teams to ensure merchandising strategy aligns to overall product category strategies
- Partner with other cross-functional groups (fixture, marketing, store operations, pricing, etc.) to gain alignment on strategy and the execution of that strategy
- Maintain and set future merchandising and CR materials at the Merchandise Development Center (Simulated Store) to present and review with leadership and cross-functional partners
- Accountable for adherence to category release timelines and responsible for completing necessary audits to ensure Best in Class in store execution
- Ultimately responsible for communicating through a “planogram” the strategic intent of the category reset, as well as the detailed execution notes on “how to” execute in-store
- Address any store concerns or issues with a high sense of urgency
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university and minimum 2 year’s related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Retail or visual merchandising experience preferred
- JDA or other space/floorplanning/Assortment Optimization system knowledge
- Proven analytic and strategic thinking skill set
- Ability to influence decisions across multiple levels of leadership, by creating an effective case for action, using analytical findings.
- Continuous improvement mindset, utilizing technology and training to improve processes
- Effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate complex business concepts from various departments into clear, easy-to-understand language to influence business partners.
- Exceptional time management skills and ability to consistently set and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment and build relationships, trust and rapport quickly.
- Self-starter with great attention to detail and producer of high-quality work
About the Culture
At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.
Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.
Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:
- Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
- On-site Dog Park
- “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
- “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
- On-site coffee bar
- “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
- Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
- Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
- Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
- Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
- If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area: Welcome to Phoenix Guide
PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.