Job Description

Job Title: Planning Manager - Walmart Programs

Overview

The Planning Manager - Walmart Programs serves as the strategic owner for modular execution, replenishment performance, inventory management, and cross-functional coordination across multiple Walmart categories. This senior-level role leads high-impact business cycles, including seasonal drops, modular resets, while driving operational excellence, forecasting accuracy, and 98%+ in-stock performance.

The Planning Manager partners closely with Walmart buyers, replenishment managers, space planners, and internal teams across production, design, replenishment analytics, logistics, imports, finance, and warehousing. This leader proactively identifies risks, builds aligned solutions, and drives execution across all categories such.

Core Strategic Responsibilities

1. Business Leadership & Buyer Partnership

Support category strategy discussions with Walmart buyers to drive assortment decisions, modular planning, and replenishment alignment. Support all buyer-facing communication: store lists, program updates, costing/design revisions, and supply chain mitigation plans. Serve as the primary point of contact for escalations across inventory, supply chain issues, and replenishment challenges. Influence buy decisions through data-driven recommendations and strategic insights.

2. Forecasting, Replenishment & Inventory Ownership

Oversee replenishment strategy and inventory flow to ensure 98%+ in-stock performance across categories. Lead forecasting and SUB strategy in partnership with Demand Planning to protect modular readiness. Execute replenishment orders, including store-by-item scripting for high-complexity categories. Anticipate supply chain risks and initiate corrective action with production, logistics, and warehouse teams.

Modular Planning & Execution

Own strategic modular planning, including assortment alignment, refresh cycles, and budget recommendations. Lead modular buy plan creation using available-to-buy, category trends, historical performance, and buyer direction. Oversee all modular templates Direct collaboration with Walmart Space Planners on modular drawings, relay changes, and large-scale resets. Ensure modular execution achieves ?98% on time ship and in-stock accuracy. Strategically recommend and orders Partner with replenishment on GRS setting adjustments to support long-term in-stock performance. Provide executive-level visibility into modular risks, opportunities, and required investments.

Seasonal Categories

Own end-to-end execution of season programs Support pre-meeting strategy, presenting forecasts, profitability, and recommendations to buyers. Oversee pallet planogram quantification, store list management, and rep/store-level readiness. Partner with National account manager on field execution, store setup, and rep performance. Develop profitability models, postmortem analyses, and next-season strategy recommendations. Provide recommendations from weekly sales analytics and identifying trends and actions for buyers and internal teams.

Seasonal Drops

Support preparation and presentation of seasonal assortments, insights, and recommendations to Walmart buyers. Oversee post-meeting action plans, including assortment revisions, template updates, and strategic shifts. Direct seasonal replenishment execution (DOT-system orders, BQS alignment) and ensure all orders ship on the buyer's timeline. Manage DI QS, P.O. revisions, and communication with Walmart Global Sourcing. Partner with Customer Service and imports to prevent or resolve DI supply issues.

Leadership, Cross-Functional Influence & Operational Excellence

Cross-Functional Leadership

Drive alignment between category, production, design, logistics, imports, and warehouse teams on modular and replenishment readiness. Act as the senior problem-solving authority for daily operational challenges, shortages, supply chain delays, and inventory risk. Lead or participate in Walmart system updates, testing, and operational process changes.

Mentorship & Team Development

Mentor and upskill junior team members. Provide strategic direction and daily collaboration with Demand Planning and Director of Sales. Influence cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement and execution accuracy.

Reporting, Budgeting & Analytics

Oversee weekly/monthly fill-rate reporting, POS reviews, MMR updates, and variance reporting. Build and manage category budgets, seasonal revisions, and Elite updates. Present key analytics, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership, buyers, and account managers. Produce profitability, postmortem, and long-term planning analyses for gifting and modular programs.
Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Merchandising, or related field 5-8+ years of experience in retail planning, replenishment, or supply chain management, with at least 3+ years supporting Walmart or another major mass retail account. Deep knowledge of Walmart systems, including GRS, Retail Link, and Item360. Proven success managing modular resets, seasonal programs, and large-scale replenishment operations. Strong analytical skills with expertise in Excel, forecasting tools, and POS analytics. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority. Exceptional communication, presentation, and buyer-facing relationship skills. Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage ambiguity and high-urgency situations. Ability to manage large order volumes, complex timelines, and multiple overlapping categories. Experience partnering with production, logistics, imports, and warehouse operations.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person