Merchandising Planner (Center Store categories) - Loves Travel Stops & Country Store

Req ID: 446198 

*This position is located at Love's corporate office in Oklahoma City*

BASIC PURPOSE: The Merchandising Planner I is responsible for supporting and executing merchandising strategies across assigned product categories within a fast-paced convenience store environment. This role ensures that product offerings are optimized to meet customer needs, drive sales, and maintain profitability. Working closely with Area Merchandise Managers, marketing, replenishment, and space management teams, the Merchandising Planner helps to develop and implement tactical plans that align with business objectives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day category management activities, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure execution of merchandising strategies for Center Store categories (snacks, candy, etc.).
• Lead vendor meetings, manage promotional planning, and oversee rebate tracking to optimize category performance.
• Coordinate new product introductions, manage category updates, and handle item maintenance to ensure product availability and relevance in stores.
• Conduct weekly and monthly business reviews, providing insights into category performance and recommending adjustments as needed.
• Partner with marketing to develop promotional strategies and ensure accurate execution of marketing initiatives.
• Support the execution of special projects, including ATLAS creation and other category-specific initiatives under supervision.
• Resolve vendor service issues promptly, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze data on pricing, rebates, and product proposals to support category reviews and decision-making processes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required
• Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or a related field, ideally within the retail or convenience store industry.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with merchandising or replenishment systems is a plus.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make actionable recommendations.

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Hard skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Robust Excel Capabilities
  • Soft Skills: Stable work history, good oral and verbal communications skills, team player, keen attention to detail, self-motivated, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and strong analytical skills, ability to identify relevant data sources and extract insights from data
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Scheduling flexibility and travel availability as role/projects require.
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with more than 630 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets.
• Speedco and Love’s Truck Care, the largest oil change and preventive maintenance and total truck care network.
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader.
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert.
• TVC Pro-driver, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) protection subscription service.