Market Research Director jobs in Lawrence, MA

Company Description

Ayr is an expanding vertically integrated, U.S. multi-state cannabis operator. Based on the belief that everything starts with the quality of the plant, the Company’s mission is to cultivate the finest quality cannabis at scale and deliver remarkable experiences to its customers every day.

We believe in creating an environment in which we can all flourish, one where every individual can find their genius and pursue their passion, because it’s this dedication to creating a culture of excellence, one where we’re all empowered to achieve our dreams, that will propel us forward. We’re a company that puts our people first. A place where talent is rewarded, diversity is celebrated, and innovative thinking is championed and we believe that together we can build a better and brighter future for ourselves, our industry, and our world.

Job Summary

The Market Director of Merchandise Planning and Allocation will lead the transformation of our strategic planning and merchandising capabilities that influence buying and planning decisions to ensure our customers are offered the best product assortment at the right price, place, and time. Reporting to the Market General Manager, this individual will ensure the market meets sales, margin, and inventory turnover and other KPIs as designated to plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in the seasonal, annual, and long-range strategic and financial planning across a wide array of vendors (direct and external), customer, and merchandising segments.
• Meet/Exceed budgeted targets for Sales, Profits and Inventory by creating in-season forecasts, recognizing and acting upon risks and opportunities and by managing inventory to maximize sales and reduce liabilities.
• Responsible for inventory management for area of responsibility including Initial buy quantities and flow, allocation and replenishment strategies, re-orders and eventually liquidations where necessary.
• Lead demand planning for monthly inventory needs across retail and wholesale channels (where applicable)
• Ensure department and SKU level planning reflects unique store and merchandise assortments, including localization.
• Allocate inventory to all stores upon passing COAs.
• Assist distribution teams in setting routes based on DOH at stores.
• Track sell through by category and advise/execute actions needed including replenishment and price promotional activities.
• Use consumer insights and data combined with a structured test and learn approach to maximize growth opportunities.
• Lead the development and execution of demand planning, including information sharing and problem solving with vendors around purchase orders, capacities, forecasting, and network inventory flow and optimization.
• Actively create and lead special projects that drive growth opportunities.
• Run ROI exercises on NPI/Brands scenarios as needed.
• Conduct market/competitor research to be utilized throughout NPI and pricing projects.
• Analyze sales data to help with price points and hitting revenue goals.
• Manage inventory planning for New Store Openings across the market.
• Place POs for devices and accessories for all stores.
• Reviews and presents DOH opportunities to drive revenue performance.
• Answer marketing questions throughout the day on products and promos to help optimize segmented marketing.
• Build reports in Looker to better understand/track all aspects of the business from a product inventory and sales perspective.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance or related field
• 5 years of Merchandise Planning, Demand Planning, Inventory Management, Allocation or buying experience; preferably with leadership experience in high-growth startups operating across multiple sales channels including eCommerce, wholesale, and retail.
• Proven experience in merchandising forecasting – sales, margin and inventory implications driving growth linking key eCommerce, retail, and wholesale practices that impact results.
• Proven ability to manage, interpret and report on financial metrics such as margin, forecast reconciliation, inventory purchase plan reconciliation, inventory turns, life cycle management and SKU productivity.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, collaborate and influence cross functionally.
• Advanced skills MS Excel Applications and data analytics

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities - Competencies

• Business Acumen - Possess a combination of knowledge and skill collected through experience; knowledgeable about key business issues and how to apply that knowledge in creating a remarkable experience; confident in taking action informed by past experiences that delivered a favorable outcome.
• Strategic Agility - Anticipates future industry trends and consequences accurately; demonstrates broad knowledge and perspective in a variety of areas; is future-oriented and can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans that correspond to Ayr’s strategic pillars.
• Relationship Building - viewed as a truthful individual who shares authentic and constructive feedback in a respectful manner in the spirit of being a force for good; builds mutual respect and trust by listening, learning and acting with compassion to encourage others in discovering their genius; takes responsibility for mistakes and offers impactful solutions; recognizes personal strengths and weaknesses; seeks and openly welcomes feedback for continuous improvement and personal growth.
• Adaptable and flexible. Comfortable navigating through ambiguity, staying focused, and seeing beyond the current circumstances.
• Leading Vision and Purpose - Understands and communicates Company vision and purpose to team members regularly; creates a compelling and inspired synergy between the team’s work and the overall Company purpose and vision; consistently talks beyond today and inspires the team about future possibilities; creates key milestones to rally support behind the visionary goals; communicates the vision in way that is easy to understand and shareable by everyone; inspires and motivate entire organizations to deliver key business results.