DeCelle Thomas
Frisco
Summary
Strategic Financial Planning Leader with expertise in Financial Forecasting, Inventory Management, and Data Analysis. Proven ability to develop and implement merchandise strategies while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Seeking to leverage extensive experience to advance as a Financial Planning Manager or Director.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Planning Manager
Essilor Luxottica
07.2025 - Current
- Optimized inventory management through strategic planning initiatives and execution.
- Enhanced brand alignment by leading cross-functional seasonal merchandise strategies.
- Informed product selection with market trend analysis and consumer data insights.
- Increased efficiency by streamlining workflows and implementing process improvements.
- Aligned promotional strategies with inventory availability and sales forecasts through collaboration.
- Developed reporting tools to track performance metrics and drive informed decisions.
Planning Manager
Neiman Marcus
11.2013 - 04.2025
- Lead and developed a team of five senior merchandise planners in the Women's Apparel and Contemporary division.
- Partnered with the beauty planning manager to create a twelve-week readiness training program for tenured assistant buyers in preparation for their next stop as a planner.
- Produced an omni annual volume of $285M in retail sales by creating pre-season budgets and driving to in-season sales, GM%, turn and inventory targets.
- Partnered with planners to manage 95+ brands to identify areas of sales and gross margin opportunities and risk by publishing monthly brand prof worksheets to the existing brand base.
- Analyzed historical sales, customer data and financial scores to help inform and influence the merchant team as they defined and tailored their future assortment plans through the 'GAMED' strategy.
- Sought collaborative input from merchandising and brand partners to validate forecasting and markdown strategies.
- Created replenishment strategies for inventory with supplier constraints in an effort to bridge the gap between demand-based forecast and brand inventory levels.
- Created and leveraged ad hoc reporting to influence the merchant strategies and initiatives.
- Collaborated with the Ecommerce digital teams to ensure online marketing spends were supported based on the importance of that brands business for a given timeframe.
- Communicated financial objectives, solution strategies and assortment plans with cross functional partners.
Senior Merchandise Planner
Walmart US
06.2012 - 11.2013
- Created Pre-season financial plans and managed in season businesses for Junior Tops and Screen tees ($520M).
- Developed category team profit and loss (P&L) based on historical data and strategic direction from Sr. leadership while collaborating with in season partners on daily/weekly/quarterly sales trends to accurately budget for next fiscal year.
- Collaborated with PD/Buyer/Brand/ on item level sell thru and inventory recommendations.
- Developed lines plans for categories to outline growth and liabilities for upcoming season and present findings to Sr. Leadership.
- Developed top down/bottoms up budget plans.
- Analyzed vendor performance and assists with vendor selections.
- Provided short and long term financial goals to drive and development merchandising strategies.
- Conducted weekly forecast for OTB process.
- Executed markdown/markup projection.
- Provided guidance, training, and mentoring to planning analyst.
Associate Buyer, Women's Casual Bottoms
JCPenney
07.2010 - 06.2012
- Executed long-term merchandise strategies through effective assortment and financial planning.
- Collaborated with Levi and Lee to create sales goals and assortment plans.
- Managed MAP Pricing across stores and .com for optimal profitability.
- Mentored assistant buyer in developing financial strategies and achieving turn goals.
Women's Professional Basketball Player
Taiwan team
01.1997 - 06.1997
- Women's Professional Basketball Player
- Company Overview: Women's Professional Basketball Player
Education
B.S - Business Administration in Accounting
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO12.1996
Skills
- Team management
- Strong verbal communication
- Financial planning analysis
- Proficient in Business Objects
- Skilled in SAP applications
Timeline
Planning Manager
Essilor Luxottica
07.2025 - Current
Planning Manager
Neiman Marcus
11.2013 - 04.2025
Senior Merchandise Planner
Walmart US
06.2012 - 11.2013
Associate Buyer, Women's Casual Bottoms
JCPenney
07.2010 - 06.2012
Women's Professional Basketball Player
Taiwan team
01.1997 - 06.1997
B.S - Business Administration in Accounting
University of Colorado