Director, Planning Analytics

About The Role

We’re looking for a strategic, data-driven leader to build and elevate our Planning Analytics function. As the Director of Planning Analytics, you will lead the development and execution of advanced data strategies that optimize demand planning, inventory management, and overall business performance across our Retail, E-Commerce, and Wholesale channels.

You’ll partner cross-functionally with Planning, Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, and IT to enhance decision-making and drive profitable growth through smarter insights, predictive analytics, and automation. This role will play a pivotal part in shaping how data informs planning—bridging strategy, technology, and execution to ensure we have the right product, in the right place, at the right time.

You’ll Make a Difference By

• Developing dashboards and analytical tools that illuminate sales trends, inventory productivity, and financial KPIs.
• Driving the adoption of predictive analytics, AI-driven forecasting, and scenario modeling to improve planning accuracy.
• Partnering with cross-functional teams to optimize inventory and supply-demand balance.
• Leading continuous improvement through advanced tools, automation, and process innovation.
• Other duties as assigned.

About You

• 8+ years of progressive experience in Planning, Analytics, or Business Intelligence, ideally within retail, wholesale, or consumer goods industries.
• Proven track record in demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and financial analytics to drive sales, margin, and efficiency improvements.
• Strong understanding of Retail, E-Commerce, and Wholesale business models and their interdependencies.
• Expertise with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker, and experience in building automated, insight-driven dashboards.
• Working knowledge of ERP and planning systems (e.g., Anaplan, SAP IBP, Blue Yonder) and familiarity with SQL or similar analytics tools.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including building, managing, and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect data insights to actionable business strategies.
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities to present complex analytics in a clear and influential way to senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with Planning, Merchandising, Finance, Operations, and IT to align planning initiatives with business goals.
• Passion for process improvement and technology optimization, driving automation and standardization of analytics and reporting tools.
• Naturally curious, continuously learning and applying new analytical techniques, technologies, and best practices.

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $185,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations. Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

Ariat’s holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits
• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days
• 401(k) with company match
• Bonus incentive plans
• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise

Note: Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email human.resources@ariat.com.

Please see our Employment Candidate Privacy Policy at www.ariat.com/careers to learn more about how we collect, use, retain and disclose Personal Information.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agreement, Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter/agency placement fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement, Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Ariat.