ANNA HICKEY
Plantation
Summary
Results-driven Omni Planning Manager with extensive experience in sales forecasting, inventory optimization, and business process improvement. Proven expertise in category management, financial planning, and strategic alignment to drive growth and operational efficiency in both fast-paced and large corporate environments. Skilled in retail analytics, demand forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration, with a track record of delivering innovative solutions that enhance profitability and streamline operations. Adept at team leadership, lifecycle management, and creating dynamic tools and processes to support merchandising and assortment planning strategies.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Omni Planning Manager
Forever 21
05.2022 - Current
- Led Omni Planning for 6 divisions as follows: Non-Apparel, Active, Intimates, Swim, Kids & Home
- Total of $500M in sales, Also led Total Company Omni Assortment Architecture
- Managed a team of 5 direct reports and collaborated with 20 immediate cross-functional merchant counterparts to drive business objectives
- Developed pre-season and in-season plans, setting KPIs for Sales, Inventory, and Margin
- Approved merchandise assortments and ensured alignment with financial buy strategies to optimize profitability and inventory productivity
- Spearheaded the creation and implementation of a dynamic assortment planning tool, leading a team of 7 and collaborating with VPs of Merchandising and Business Process
- The tool, utilized across all divisions, provides historical data points to align merchants and planners on strategic goals
- It includes validation checkpoints to ensure merchandise buys align with financial targets and aggregates data based on attributes like price points, APS, Sell-Thru Rates, and discounts across multiple business segments
- Drove cohesive assortment architecture for SKU count, breadth, depth, pricing, promotions, and timing of floor sets
- Managed promotional activities for my divisions of responsibility, including those designed to drive store traffic and those aimed at assisting in inventory management
- Prepared and delivered reports and presentations to senior executives and SPARC ownership, influencing strategic decision-making and aligning business goals
Planning Manager
Ross Stores, Inc.
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Managed planning for Baby Apparel, Baby Hardlines, and Kids Outerwear, Swim, and Basics, totaling $600M in volume
- Developed national and regional category management plans in collaboration with vendors, merchants, and store teams
- Developed seasonal plans with a team of ten merchants and five divisional managers
- Led a team of four direct reports
Senior Merchandise Planner
Ross Stores, Inc.
08.2017 - 08.2021
- Managed girls 2-16 with $300M in volume, achieving two years over plan with 5% compound growth
- Built national and regional plans for Men's bottoms in collaboration with store and merchant teams
- Developed seasonal plans with a team of ten merchants and five divisional managers
- Led and developed a team of associates
Merchandise Planning Manager
Charming Charlie
04.2012 - 07.2017
- Led entrepreneurial forecasting, decision-making, and organizational efforts
- Developed seasonal plans, improving inventory productivity with GM gains of 140 BPS vs LY
- Managed and developed multiple direct reports, created a professional development program
Planner
TJX
03.2006 - 09.2011
- Planned Home Goods businesses, achieving a minimum 10% growth over plan
- Partnered with the merchant team on global strategy and immediate plans
- Oversaw execution of critical selling periods and managed the opening mix for over 100 new stores
Senior Allocation Analyst
TJX
03.2006 - 08.2008
- Identified sales trends, developed distribution strategies maximizing business opportunities
- Acted as a liaison between Merchandise Controllers and Buyers
- Managed multiple merchandise classifications on order
Education
Retail Management & Marketing -
Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts
Syracuse, NY06.2005
Skills
- Merchandising
- Financial
- Assortment
- Strategic Planning
- Forecasting
- Pricing
- Marketing
- Promotional Planning
- Team Management
- Leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Lifecycle Management
- Startup
- Sell-downs
- Inventory Liquidation
- Effective Presentation
- Communication
- Influence
- Negotiation
- Business Process Improvement
- System Management
- Change Management Implementation
- Project Management
- Pricing Strategy
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Demand forecasting
Professional Development
- Planner Management/Development
- Communication Training
- Strength Finders
- Star program participant
Timeline
Senior Omni Planning Manager
Forever 21
05.2022 - Current
Planning Manager
Ross Stores, Inc.
08.2017 - 05.2022
Senior Merchandise Planner
Ross Stores, Inc.
08.2017 - 08.2021
Merchandise Planning Manager
Charming Charlie
04.2012 - 07.2017
Planner
TJX
03.2006 - 09.2011
Senior Allocation Analyst
TJX
03.2006 - 08.2008
Retail Management & Marketing -
Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts