Director of Planning

Tecovas was founded with the simple goal of making the world's best western boots, apparel and leather goods - and selling them at a fair price. We are a brand revolutionizing a category and welcoming first-time boot buyers and western enthusiasts alike.

Tecovas is looking for a Director of Planning to lead the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of all merchandise planning. This role is critical in balancing inventory productivity with sales and margin goals to deliver strong business results. Reporting directly to the VP of Planning, Allocation and Channel Merchandising, you will partner closely with Merchandising, Finance, Operations, and Retail teams to ensure inventory strategies are aligned with financial and business objectives.

This role is required to be based in Austin, TX. Candidates must either be currently located in or willing to relocate to Austin, TX.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute long-range, annual, and seasonal merchandise financial plans that support Tecovas’ strategic growth objectives. 
• Lead the implementation of planning policies, ensuring cross-functional alignment and accountability. 
• Partner with Allocation, Retail Merchandising,  Merchandising and Finance to translate company goals into actionable inventory and sales plans that optimize sales, margin, and inventory productivity. 

Planning & Forecasting

• Own top-down and bottom-up forecasting across categories, channels, and time horizons to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and financial goals. 
• Develop open-to-buy (OTB) strategies and lead monthly forecasting and reforecasting processes. 
• Leverage data analytics and trend insights to identify risks and opportunities, driving proactive business decisions. 
• Create category, style, and SKU-level plans that support seasonal strategies, inventory turns, and margin goals.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing Planning team focused on data-driven decision-making and cross-functional partnership. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Marketing, Retail, E-Commerce, and Finance to ensure unified business execution. 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence. 

Experience we’re looking for:

• 10+ years of experience in merchandise planning, preferably in retail, apparel, or footwear.  
• 5+ years of people leadership experience with a track record of developing strong teams.  
• Deep understanding of planning systems, data analytics, and financial modeling.  
• Proven ability to drive alignment across diverse functions and influence senior leaders.  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high degree of business acumen.  
• Advanced Excel and planning system proficiency (e.g., Full Circle, Anaplan, or similar).  
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field (MBA a plus)

What you bring to the table:

• Data-Driven Decision Maker: Leverages analytics, AI tools (especially Invent.AI), and historical insights to drive strategic inventory and allocation decisions.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of the interplay between product, consumer behavior, and channel dynamics to maximize profitability.
• Strategic Thinker with Operational Rigor: Can balance high-level planning with hands-on execution to drive results across complex retail ecosystems.
• Leadership & Influence: Empowers teams, fosters collaboration, and influences cross-functional partners to align around common goals.
• Customer-Centric Mindset: Plans with the end consumer in mind—ensuring the right product, in the right place, at the right time.
• Change Agent: Embraces and leads through change; advocates for continuous improvement in systems, processes, and organizational thinking.
• Exceptional Communicator: Articulates ideas clearly to executive leadership, peers, and team members; uses data to tell compelling stories.
• Detail-Oriented Yet Visionary: Sweats the small stuff while keeping sight of the broader business strategy and growth trajectory.
• Resilient & Adaptable: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and evolving market conditions.
• Passion for Product: Shares a genuine appreciation for Western lifestyle, fashion, and craftsmanship, aligning with the brand’s heritage and consumer base.

Full Time Benefits & Perks: 

• We offer insurance plans that pay 79-90% of your health premium coverage and 100% of your dental & vision insurance coverage for your family/dependents
• 401(k) match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible PTO policy
• Corporate wellness program
• Competitive salary
• Eligibility to participate in Corporate Bonus Program
• Generous employee discounts!

About Us:

Based in Austin, TX, Tecovas brings the spirit of the West to the modern consumer. Handcrafting the best Western footwear, workwear, apparel, and accessories, Tecovas has grown rapidly since its founding as the first digitally native Western brand in 2015, serving customers through www.Tecovas.com, Tecovas Stores from coast to coast, and select wholesale partners. We’re certainly growing- and hiring passionate, humble, positive, and talented people determined to help us continue to grow!

 Important note: We strive to hire values-aligned people because we believe it takes each and all of us to be successful, and lead with grit, speed and a clear vision of where we’re headed. In a remote setting, interviewing at Tecovas may include phone interviews, virtual “on-site” interviews, and on-the-job mock cases. We are committed to run a thorough process for candidates with whom we identify a potential match, and we will do our best to follow-up with each and every applicant! If you’re on the fence, just give it a try! 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply! Information collected during the application process is subject to our privacy policy. Please note: Offers of employment may be conditional pending the completion of standard onboarding procedures.