Category Planning Analyst (Aulani Resort)

About the role:
The Domestic Parks Retail Planning organization is responsible for developing strategic financial plans that drive growth, profitability, and an exceptional Guest experience. As the backbone of the Domestic Parks Retail Channel, the team partners closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Pricing to deliver a compelling assortment of products that reflect the stories and experiences of Domestic Parks and Disney Signature Experiences. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, the team ensures that product offerings are both financially sound and deeply aligned with the magic of the Disney brand.

As a Merchandise Planning Analyst, you will play a critical role in driving business performance through data-driven insights and strategic planning. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Merchandise Planning, you will support both pre-season and in-season forecasting and analysis, with a focus on achieving sales, margin, and inventory goals.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to identify inventory opportunities, resolve stock discrepancies, and recommend actions that maximize revenue and profitability. This role requires a highly analytical mindset, strong attention to detail, and a passion for turning numbers into actionable strategies.

 This role will report to Sr Manager, Merchandise Planning

 You Will:

• Category Strategy & Analytics

  • Leverage data and analytics to develop a deep understanding of assigned categories, establishing high-level revenue benchmarks aligned with business growth and profitability goals.

  • Conduct item stratification to optimize SKU productivity and ensure effective inventory management across the assortment.

• Forecasting & Financial Management

  • Deliver monthly forecasts for sales, inventory, and margin, supported by performance analysis and clear explanations of variances during open-to-buy meetings.

  • Manage large data sets to identify financial risks and opportunities, providing actionable insights to support strategic objectives.

• In-Season Management & Optimization

  • Monitor weekly business performance at the item level to capitalize on in-season opportunities, mitigate liability, and inform future planning.

  • Oversee product launches and merchandise initiatives across all channels, ensuring alignment with financial targets and minimizing year-over-year gaps.

• Inventory & Lifecycle Planning

  • Partner with cross-functional teams to assess the impact of out-of-stocks and develop solutions to recover revenue and improve availability.

  • Communicate purchase order changes—including delays, cancellations, or shifts—to ensure alignment across planning, sourcing, and merchandising teams.

• Pricing & Profitability

  • Identify pricing and liquidation opportunities to drive sales and margin improvements, making strategic recommendations based on performance trends.

  • Collaborate with Merchandisers to optimize buys by evaluating comp items, product lifecycle stages, and potential cannibalization.

• Collaboration & Tools

  • Utilize available planning tools and systems to support data-driven decision-making and enhance operational efficiency.

  • Manage multiple priorities effectively, establishing clear timelines and work plans to meet business objectives.

  • Support onboarding and training of new team members, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

You Have:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in merchandise planning, financial analysis, or a comparable analytical role.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with enterprise planning systems (e.g., JDA, Oracle, SAP) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is highly desirable.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable strategies.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across cross-functional teams.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, merchandising, or related field.

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

#DCPJobs

The Walt Disney Company is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. The Parks, Experiences and Products segment includes Disney's iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, a top-rated cruise line, a popular vacation ownership program, and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business across multiple product categories; the world's largest children's publisher; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Parks, Experiences and Products.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.