Merchandise / Inventory Planner

(Product Team | Fast-Turn Retail)

About embarc

embarc is where community, craft, and culture come together. We take pride in the diversity of California cannabis and the communities we serve. We never compromise on quality and always provide products at the fairest prices possible. embarc cannabis dispensary is a go-to source for curated products from premium cultivators throughout California.

What You'll Love About Working Here

You'll thrive at embarc if you naturally live and breathe our Core Values.

Be Customer Obsessed

Our customers are our community, and every experience is delivered with care and intention.

Find the Way. Lead the Way.

We take ownership, move quickly, and drive outcomes without waiting for direction.

Make the Impossible Possible -- Every Day

We turn bold ideas into reality through execution, grit, and speed.

Grow or Die

We challenge the status quo, continuously improve, and build what's next.

The Opportunity

Our Merchandise / Inventory Planner plays a critical role within the Product team, managing inventory flow, in-stock levels, and inventory productivity across the business. This role ensures inventory supports sales, margin, and promotional strategies in a fast-turn environment. This is a hands-on, decision-oriented role responsible for translating data into clear inventory actions across replenishment, promotions, and open-to-buy planning.

Accountabilities

• Inventory flow and in-stock performance
  
• Supply chain and logistics alignment
  
• Open-to-buy planning and forecasting
  
• Promotional and unit planning
  
• Inventory health and optimization
  
• Reporting and business insights

Role Responsibilities

Inventory Flow and In-Stocks

• Own inventory levels across stores to ensure strong in-stock performance without over-investment.
  
• Monitor and manage Weeks of Supply (WOS) by category and store.
  
• Identify and act on risks related to stockouts, excess inventory, and imbalance.
  
• Partner with Supply Chain and Logistics to ensure timely product flow and resolution of disruptions.

Supply Chain and Logistics Partnership

• Act as the bridge between Product and Supply Chain.
  
• Monitor inbound and outbound flow and adjust inventory strategies accordingly.
  
• Identify constraints and proactively adjust plans to protect sales and margin.
  
• Ensure alignment between purchasing decisions and operational realities.

Open-to-Buy (OTB) and Forecasting

• Support and help manage open-to-buy planning by category.
  
• Build and maintain inventory forecasts based on sales trends and business targets.
  
• Model different inventory scenarios to guide buying and replenishment decisions.
  
• Ensure inventory investment aligns with financial goals, including sales, margin, and cash.

Promotional and Unit Planning

• Develop and track promotional unit forecasts.
  
• Analyze promotional performance and adjust inventory plans accordingly.
  
• Ensure inventory supports key promotional moments without creating excess.
  
• Partner with Product and Marketing on pricing and promotional strategy execution.

Inventory Health and Optimization

• Monitor inventory productivity metrics including WOS, turns, sell-through, and aging.
  
• Identify slow-moving and excess inventory and recommend actions.
  
• Drive improvements in inventory efficiency and GMROI.
  
• Support strategies to reduce aged inventory and improve cash flow.

Reporting and Analysis

• Produce regular reporting on inventory levels, in-stocks, and performance.
  
• Deliver clear, actionable insights rather than raw data.
  
• Respond to ad hoc business questions with structured analysis and recommendations.
  
• Translate complex data into simple, actionable business decisions.

What Success Looks Like

• Inventory is positioned to support sales without excess.
  
• In-stock levels are consistently strong across key categories.
  
• Weeks of Supply is controlled and intentional, not reactive.
  
• Promotions are supported without creating leftover inventory.
  
• The business receives clear, actionable direction, not just reporting.

Experience and Skills

• Five or more years of experience in inventory planning, merchandise planning, or supply planning.
  
• Direct experience in a fast-turn, high-SKU business such as retail, CPG, grocery, or cannabis.
  
• Strong understanding of inventory metrics including Weeks of Supply, in-stock percentage, and turns.
  
• Experience working cross-functionally with supply chain and merchandising or product teams.
  
• Proven ability to make decisions in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
  
• Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capability.
• Preferred experience includes open-to-buy planning and financial forecasting, promotional planning and unit forecasting, and multi-location retail environments.

Additional Requirements

• Must be 21+.
  
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting timelines.