Merchandising and Planning Operations Specialist

who we are lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
Requirements lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, and connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
About This Team The Merchandising and Planning Operations team is responsible for optimizing Merchandising and Planning workflows and managing timelines and deliverables for Merchandising and Planning teams. They are an expert in the go-to-market process, remove operational roadblocks and make decisions to support the Merchandising and Planning teams in reaching their GTM milestones. Through their work, they unlock merchandising and planning capacity and enable teams to thrive and focus on merchandising and planning endeavors.
Core Responsibilities Cross-Functional Coordination & Execution Coordinate cross-functional merchandising and planning workstreams by tracking actions, timelines, and key milestones.
Support alignment across Merchandising, Planning, Product, Design, Brand, and Enterprise partners through effective communication and follow-through.
Help identify dependencies and elevate risks to support successful execution of deliverables.
Merchandising Tools & Frameworks Build and maintain frameworks for Merchandising seasonal tools that enable visibility and consistency across functions, divisions, and regions.
Maintain seasonal tools in support of Mandatory Buy execution.
Examples include Hero Styles Tracker, Anaplan Mandatory Buy attribution slots, and VibeIQ Global Looks boards.
Mandatory Buy Management Maintain Mandatory Buy files and ensure current versions are housed in the appropriate GTM SharePoint locations.
Support enterprise access to accurate and up-to-date information aligned to GTM milestones.
Reporting & Analytics Prepare and maintain reports that support review and validation of Mandatory Buy attribution, Regional Alignment, and OTP.
Validate data for accuracy, identify discrepancies, and partner with stakeholders to support resolution.
Format and organize reporting outputs to enable efficient business analysis.
Assist with identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities through reporting and analytics.
Reprice Project Support Build and maintain Reprice Master List templates that support a clear source of truth throughout project phases.
Organize project documentation and SharePoint folders across phases and fiscal years.
Calendar Management & Critical Path Management Track upcoming deliverables and key milestones for the Merchandising and Planning Operations team.
Coordinate operating cadences, milestone reviews, and supporting meetings.
Monitor progress and provide status updates to help ensure deliverables remain on track.
Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement Document and maintain merchandising and planning operational processes.
Support process improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, visibility, and consistency across workflows.
Assist with implementation and adoption of new tools, processes, and ways of working.
Help identify operational challenges and elevate issues as appropriate.
Strategic & Ad Hoc Support Provide support for emerging operational priorities, process improvements, and strategic initiatives within Merchandising and Planning Operations.
Qualifications 2+ years of experience in Retail, Buying, Product Merchandising, Planning, Operations, or a related field.
Understanding of merchandising, planning, and product creation processes.
Understanding of the go-to-market process and calendar.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Miro, and Smartsheet; advanced Excel skills are considered an asset.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accur