Calling all originals: At Levi Strauss & Co., you can be yourself — and be part of something bigger. We're a company of people who like to forge our own path and leave the world better than we found it. Who believe that what makes us different makes us stronger. So add your voice. Make an impact. Find your fit — and your future.
We're seeking a strategic Director, Global Merchandise Planning. This role is responsible for setting global planning strategy, leading leaders, and shaping the financial and inventory architecture that brings brand vision to life across DTC and Wholesale.
Reporting to the VP, Center Demand and Operations role, this role plays a critical leadership role in translating long‑term brand and consumer strategy into scalable, profitable, and inventory‑efficient plans, enabling sustainable growth across regions, categories, and channels.
About the Job
Strategic Planning & Enterprise Ownership
- Set the global merchandise planning vision and operating model across multiple categories and product tiers, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, consumer insights, and market dynamics.
- Own and influence long‑range planning, seasonal frameworks, and investment guardrails, balancing growth, profitability, and inventory health.
- Provide enterprise‑level leadership on forecasting, financial rollups, and milestone governance, ensuring rigor, consistency, and transparency across the global planning organization.
- Lead multi‑season product lifecycle strategy, driving invest/divest decisions that maximize assortment productivity and respond to evolving consumer demand.
- Act as a thought partner to senior leadership on strategic tradeoffs (growth vs. margin, breadth vs. depth, speed vs. efficiency).
People Leadership & Organization Building
- Lead, coach, and develop Managers and Senior Planners, building a strong succession pipeline.
- Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and development pathways that support both individual growth and organizational capability.
- Foster a high‑performance culture grounded in curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and results.
- Model enterprise leadership behaviors, including integrity, inclusivity, and constructive challenge.
Cross‑Functional & Executive Partnership
- Serve as a senior strategic partner to Global Merchandising, Product Development, Regional/Cluster Planning, Supply Chain, and Finance.
- Influence product, assortment, and investment decisions through data‑driven insights, scenario planning, and executive storytelling.
- Lead alignment across global and regional teams to ensure integrated execution, clear decision rights, and tradeoff resolution.
- Represent Global Merchandise Planning in senior leadership forums, shaping outcomes and driving alignment.
Planning Excellence & Transformation
- Set the standard for best‑in‑class global planning practices, integrating DTC and Wholesale planning models into cohesive ways of working.
- Champion continuous improvement in tools, processes, and systems, driving accuracy, speed, and scalability.
- Embed in‑season read‑and‑react and post‑season hindsight as core capabilities to inform future strategy and investment decisions.
- Lead change initiatives that evolve planning from executional support to strategic advantage.
Executive Communication & Influence
- Translate complex financial and planning data into clear, compelling narratives that inform executive decision‑making.
- Present strategies, risks, and opportunities to VP and SVP‑level stakeholders, influencing direction and outcomes.
- Facilitate high‑impact discussions that drive alignment, accountability, and action across the enterprise.
About You
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Retail Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 10–15+ years of experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, or inventory management, with 5+ years leading leaders.
- Enterprise Leadership: Proven ability to operate at a global, enterprise level—setting strategy, leading transformation, and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Strategic & Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of planning metrics, financial levers, and inventory economics, with the ability to translate insight into action.
- Executive Presence: Strong experience presenting to and partnering with senior leadership.
- Technical & Analytical Strength: Advanced Excel skills and experience with planning systems; comfortable driving adoption of new tools and capabilities.
This is a hybrid work schedule based in our San Francisco, CA headquarters. You will be expected in office 3 days per week typically Tuesday-Thursday. Note, time in office can vary depending on business needs.
The expected starting salary range for this role is $167,300 - $245,400 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) offers a total rewards package that includes base pay, incentive plans, 401(k) matching, paid leave, health insurance, product discounts, and more designed to help you and your family stay healthy, meet your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life. Available benefits and incentive compensation vary depending upon the specifics of the role; details relating to a specific role will be made available upon request. Read more about our benefits here.
LS&Co. is an affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome and value people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences to make LS&Co. a collective success.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must not require current or future employment visa sponsorship. The company does not participate in the H-1B cap lottery or sponsor initial employment visas. Candidates with an existing H-1B visa that is eligible for transfer may be considered.
#LI-Hybrid
EOE M/F/Disability/Vets
LOCATION
San Francisco, CA, USA
FULL TIME/PART TIME
Full time
FILL DATE
This position is expected to be filled by 01/12/2027.
