Sr Director, Inventory Management, Head of Planning

About the Role

As Senior Director, Head of Inventory Planning at Athleta, you will be at the helm of a high-impact team responsible for optimizing our largest financial investment—our product. In this key leadership role, you will own the strategy and execution of financial planning for the brand, partnering closely with cross-functional leaders to deliver customer-centric inventory strategies that drive both brand equity and financial performance.

You will lead the planning organization with a team of Directors and Managers who are passionate about aligning customer demand, brand storytelling, and financial rigor. Your leadership will shape how we show up for our customer—ensuring we achieve and exceed financial goals —while also advancing Athleta’s mission and sustainability goals.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Own and drive the long-range inventory and financial planning strategy at Athleta, aligning product, brand, and customer strategies.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Merchandising, Design, Marketing, and Finance leadership teams, influencing top-line growth and bottom-line efficiency.
• Shape the future of Inventory Management at Athleta through innovative tools, data-driven forecasting, and customer-first planning philosophies.

Team Development

• Lead, coach, and inspire a high-performing team, including Directors, Managers, Planners and Analysts, fostering a collaborative and purpose-driven culture.
• Champion inclusion and development, ensuring team members are empowered, supported, and prepared for future leadership.
• Drive organizational excellence by aligning structure, skills, and capabilities with Athleta’s evolving business needs.

Financial Management

• Ensure achievement of key financial goals across sales, margin, GMROI, and inventory turns through agile planning and proactive business management.
• Identify risks and opportunities and develop strategic actions to deliver/exceed financial targets across seasonal and long-range plans.
• Lead scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to support agile business decisions in a dynamic, purpose-driven retail environment.

Cross-Functional Influence

• Collaborate across cross-functional teams to synchronize end-to-end strategies.
• Drive alignment on inventory strategies that support brand storytelling, seasonal marketing initiatives, and in-store/omni-channel execution.
• Serve as the Inventory Management voice in executive meetings, presenting clear, compelling plans and performance narratives.

Who You Are

• 12+ years of experience in merchandise/inventory planning or financial planning in an omni-channel retail environment, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles.
• Deep knowledge of retail math, inventory optimization, and forecasting methodologies, ideally in performance or activewear categories.
• Proven ability to lead and develop large teams in a purpose- and performance-driven culture.
• Demonstrated success in shaping inventory strategy and delivering against ambitious financial and brand goals.
• Strong Excel and planning system capabilities; aptitude for process and systems innovation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field; MBA preferred.
• A strategic thinker with a passion for movement, community, and purpose.
• A builder of inclusive, high-performing teams that thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• A collaborative leader who can align cross-functional partners around a shared vision and inspire action.
• A sharp storyteller who can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• A customer advocate who places Athleta’s mission and guest at the center of planning decisions.