Heather Henry
Chino Hills
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Retail Planning expert with over 18 years of experience leading end-to-end merchandise planning, inventory optimization, and financial strategy across DTC, wholesale, and outlet channels. Proven expertise in driving sales and margin growth through robust open-to-buy management, actionable insights, and cross-functional alignment with buying, merchandising, and finance. Adept at nurturing high-performing teams, forecasting demand, and creating scalable planning processes that support aggressive growth targets. Recognized for blending analytical rigor with a strong fashion instinct to deliver customer-centric assortments that maximize profitability and minimize risk.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Planning Manager (acting at Director Level)
Tom's Shoes
05.2023 - Current
- Lead end-to-end merchandise and financial planning for the global e-commerce business, overseeing topline forecasting, category performance, inventory flow, and margin optimization.
- Created and own the e-commerce Open to Buy for Footwear and Accessories, aligning receipt plans with marketing calendars, product launches, and key promotional windows to drive revenue and sell-through.
- Partner with site merchandising, digital marketing, and inventory management teams to develop and execute seasonal strategies that balance brand storytelling with financial targets.
- Create and maintain e-commerce forecasts and weekly sales plans by category and style, enabling responsive reordering, markdown strategies, and inventory control.
- Drive significant improvements in gross margin and inventory turn by refining receipt flow, limiting overbuys, and tightening markdown governance.
- Spearhead merchandise planning integration into supply chain systems, enhancing visibility, automation, and analytics capabilities.
- Provided actionable insights through performance recaps, hindsight analyses, and executive-level reporting to inform future assortment and investment decisions.
- Partnered with global operations and finance to align inventory investments with cash flow and production lead times, while reducing excess inventory.
- Provide mentorship elevating planning acumen and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced, digitally driven environment.
Senior Planner
Guess?
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Owned and managed the Open to Buy for the Outlet channel across Handbags, Small Leather Goods, Accessories, and Footwear divisions, ensuring inventory investments aligned with sales plans and margin targets.
- Built and maintained pre-season and in-season OTB plans, proactively adjusting based on current trends, sell-through, and promotional cadence across over 184 outlet locations.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams including merchandising, allocation, and production to develop seasonal buy plans and optimize receipt flow based on historical performance and future demand.
- Drove inventory optimization by identifying opportunities for reorders, flow adjustments, and strategic markdowns, reducing aged inventory
- Provided weekly OTB reporting, variance analysis, and in-depth hindsight recaps to leadership, influencing buying and pricing strategies across multiple outlet divisions.
- Developed SKU-level planning tools and reporting dashboards to enhance visibility and decision-making across categories, resulting in increased buy accuracy and margin improvements.
- Collaborated with allocation teams to ensure proper distribution of product by door and tier, maintaining healthy stock-to-sales ratios and maximizing regional opportunities.
- Supported outlet new store openings and closures with customized merchandise plans to ensure smooth inventory transitions and alignment with brand standards.
Adjunct Professor - Fashion Dept
Mount San Antonio College
02.2014 - 11.2022
- Teach college-level Retail Buying and Merchandising courses with a strong emphasis on merchandise planning fundamentals, including Open-to-Buy (OTB), merchandise plans, P&L statements, markdown strategies (POS and permanent), margin planning, GMROI, inventory management, sales forecasting, turnover, sell-through, and weeks of supply
- Instruct fashion-focused courses such as Retail Math, Excel for Retail Applications, Fashion Marketing & Promotion, Fashion Retailing, and Retail History
- Foster student success through well-prepared course materials, engaging teaching methods, and real-world industry insights
- Create a dynamic learning environment by offering mentorship, timely feedback, and individualized support via email, office hours, and consistent availability
- Align course content with institutional learning outcomes, delivering relevant assessments and assignments to ensure objectives are met
- Leverage professional fashion industry experience to bridge academic concepts with practical application
DTC Planning Manager
Max Studio
10.2016 - 09.2020
- Set and oversee annual sales, inventory, and margin goals for the entire Retail Division, including E-Commerce, Outlet, and Full-Price channels
- Lead execution of retail strategies to achieve financial targets across all business units
- Develop and implement pricing and promotional strategies, including IMU setting and markdown planning
- Collaborate regularly with executive leadership (CEO, CFO, EVP, President of Retail) to align on company-wide initiatives and ensure strategic execution
- Guide the Merchant team in building and maintaining all pre-season and in-season merchandise and OTB plans
- Partner with digital, creative, and merchandising teams to align product availability with marketing efforts, ensuring timely and effective digital campaigns
- Optimize digital marketing performance (SEO, SEM, CRM, social, site search) by partnering with the digital team and leveraging key metrics
- Analyze customer behavior and campaign performance through Google Analytics to drive traffic, enhance engagement, and improve conversion
- Evaluate promotional ROI by comparing campaign data with net sales and gross margin to assess profitability
- Build and nurture cross-functional relationships across Digital, Creative, Store Operations, Finance, Design, and Warehouse teams to improve division effectiveness
- Cultivate a collaborative and innovative team environment that encourages open communication, professional growth, and shared success
Merchandise Planner
Tilly's
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Planned and managed the Footwear category across 213 retail locations and E-Commerce nationwide
- Forecasted daily, weekly, and monthly sales based on historical trends to identify opportunities and mitigate risks
- Created and maintained weekly Open-to-Buy (OTB) forecasts to monitor inventory targets and communicate updates to the buying team
- Developed monthly sales plans aligned with business goals, past performance, and inventory productivity targets
- Led monthly planning meetings with GMM, DMMs, Buyers, and cross-functional teams to review sales trends and adjust strategies
- Partnered with allocation team to build inventory strategies for new store openings and key seasonal items
- Generated ad hoc reporting and sales analysis to uncover growth opportunities and optimize inventory decisions
- Collaborated closely with buyers to manage purchase orders, drive comp sales, and improve margin performance
- Analyzed markdown performance and recommended pricing strategies to support profitability
- Created assortment plans and store rankings for new locations based on projected sales, seasonality, and store size
Senior Planner/ Buyer
Kellwood Company
01.2011 - 09.2012
- Managed planning and buying for all brands in the E-Commerce division, including fashion labels such as Vince, Rebecca Taylor, Adam Lippes, David Meister, Zobha, Scotch & Soda, Lamb & Flag, and BLK DNM
- Owned end-to-end E-Commerce merchandise planning and forecasting across total business, departments, categories, seasons, styles, and colors—leveraging historical data, current trends, and promotional calendars
- Integrated updated sales forecasts with Open-to-Buy plans to ensure alignment between receipt strategy and inventory levels
- Executed seasonal buys based on trend analysis, historical performance, and financial plans
- Analyzed the impact of markdowns and inventory transfers, incorporating findings into OTB strategy and exit planning
- Partnered with the retail team to align on markdowns and develop transfer strategies for inventory optimization
- Conducted in-depth sales and inventory analysis by department, style, color, size, and season—monitoring KPIs such as WOS, sell-through %, AUR, OH dollars, AOV, UPTs, and gross margin
- Managed weekly allocation and replenishment to ensure in-stock goals were met and sales opportunities maximized
- Collaborated with finance monthly to review and adjust the E-Commerce sales forecast
- Worked closely with cross-functional partners to align on strategies that drive digital revenue and profitability
Retail Buyer/ Planner
Brighton Collectibles
11.2009 - 01.2011
- Led buying, planning, and inventory management for the Jewelry division across 140+ Brighton retail stores, representing 40% of total retail business
- Developed and maintained dollar and unit plans, sales projections, receipt flows, promotional strategies, and seasonal exit plans
- Created and managed Open-to-Buy (OTB) forecasts to ensure optimal inventory levels and profitability
- Purchased seasonal assortments based on historical sales, current trends, and forward-looking projections
- Analyzed sales performance against plan to forecast in-season sales and inventory needs
- Built style-level allocation models based on store rankings to maximize sell-through
- Collaborated bi-monthly with the design team to review product performance and provide feedback for new line development and improvements
Retail Planner
BCBG Max Azria Group
10.2007 - 11.2009
- Planned and managed inventory for 125 retail locations nationwide, representing over $140 million in annual sales
- Analyzed sales trends and inventory performance to identify opportunities and recommend strategic actions
- Conducted weekly business reviews to manage inventory levels, optimize store turns, and drive margin based on capacity and seasonality
- Collaborated daily with District and Regional Managers to align on store-level priorities and execution
- Developed inventory forecasts and flow plans incorporating store sales projections and space constraints
- Created store rankings, stock goals, and brand matrices based on volume tiers and seasonal projections
- Led Allocation team and communicated daily and weekly allocation strategies to ensure optimal product distribution
- Partnered with Buyers to review initial assortment plans and align on sales strategies
- Directed planning and execution of the initial launch for the Final Cut Division
Education
Associate of Arts - Merchandise Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA09-2007
Skills
- Merchandise & Assortment Planning
- Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management
- Sales Forecasting & Inventory Optimization
- Retail & E-Commerce Strategy
- Financial & Margin Planning
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Promotional & Markdown Strategy
- Store & Channel-Level Planning
- KPI & Performance Analysis
- Allocation Strategy
- Trend Analysis & Line Planning
- Retail Systems Acumen
- Digital Commerce Planning & Analytics
- Executive Communication & Strategic Alignment
- Team Development & Coaching
Timeline
Sr. Planning Manager (acting at Director Level)
Tom's Shoes
05.2023 - Current
Senior Planner
Guess?
01.2022 - 12.2022
DTC Planning Manager
Max Studio
10.2016 - 09.2020
Adjunct Professor - Fashion Dept
Mount San Antonio College
02.2014 - 11.2022
Merchandise Planner
Tilly's
09.2012 - 07.2014
Senior Planner/ Buyer
Kellwood Company
01.2011 - 09.2012
Retail Buyer/ Planner
Brighton Collectibles
11.2009 - 01.2011
Retail Planner
BCBG Max Azria Group
10.2007 - 11.2009
Associate of Arts - Merchandise Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Similar Profiles
Fabian MenaFabian Mena
Cashier /Food Service Worker at Tom's Family RestaurantCashier /Food Service Worker at Tom's Family Restaurant
Georgia PolitisGeorgia Politis
Manager at Tom's Super BurgersManager at Tom's Super Burgers
Alexander DavisAlexander Davis
Salesperson at Emma & Tom'sSalesperson at Emma & Tom's
MEGAN PANDYMEGAN PANDY
Social Work Intern at Ocean View School DistrictSocial Work Intern at Ocean View School District
Natalie GarciaNatalie Garcia
Babysitter at Serena LeannBabysitter at Serena Leann