Jodi Larson

Merchandise Planning & Allocation Leader | Co-Owner, RJ Duke Sports | Inventory Strategy • Sales Growth • Team Development

Dallas, Texas, United States

About

Results-oriented Retail Professional with 15 years of progressive experience in Merchandise Planning and Allocation across multiple retail categories, combined with hands-on small business ownership as Co-Owner of RJ Duke Sports. I specialize in driving sales growth, maximizing profitability, and leading cross-functional teams to execute inventory and operational strategies that align with customer demand and company goals across both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for translating complex data into actionable plans by creating sales and receipt forecasts, optimizing product flow to 250+ stores, and supporting successful new store openings. In parallel, I oversee daily operations for RJ Duke Sports, including managing and developing store employees, leading social media and content strategy, and executing merchandising, inventory, and in-store initiatives that drive customer engagement and revenue growth. My background includes managing allocation teams, mentoring analysts, and collaborating with Buying, Supply Chain, and Regional partners to deliver seamless end-to-end planning, while also building scalable processes, improving workflows, and making real-time business decisions in an ownership role. With a strong foundation in both high-level strategy and in-season execution, I bring a balanced perspective that combines financial acumen with operational agility. Passionate about team development, brand growth, and process improvement, I’m committed to creating data-driven, customer-focused solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and long-term profitability.

Experience

  • Sr. Merchandise Financial Planner at CosmoProf Beauty
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Co-Owner at RJ Duke Sports
    2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

    Co-owner of a sports card and collectibles retail business, overseeing daily operations, team leadership, and brand growth. • Manage store employees to ensure strong customer experience and efficient day-to-day execution • Lead social media strategy and content creation to drive engagement, online sales, and community growth • Develop and execute operational processes to improve workflow, organization, and scalability • Analyze sales performance and customer demand to inform buying decisions and assortment strategy • Coordinate in-store events, promotions, and partnerships to increase traffic and repeat business

  • At Home Group Inc. (Hybrid)
    • Sr. Store Planning Analyst
      Apr 2024 - Apr 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Store Planner
      Jul 2023 - Apr 2024 · 10 mos

      • Managed inventory buildup for new store grand openings, including like-store analysis, target setting, and cross-functional coordination. • Monitored new store performance for 24 weeks post-launch to ensure allocations aligned with sales trends. • Led biweekly meetings with the Allocation team to communicate company priorities and implement strategic action plans. • Partnered with Regional Managers to identify inventory opportunities based on store-level feedback and sales insights. • Served as JDA system administrator: handled store setup and allocation adjustments for new, exception, and focus stores, reducing manual intervention. • Collaborated with DC Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams to align allocations with distribution center capacity. • Participated in JDA upgrades and contributed to the development of new processes to enhance efficiency. • Mentored and trained Allocation Analysts in allocation strategy, system tools, and ad hoc reporting.

    • Allocation Analyst
      Jan 2023 - Jul 2023 · 7 mos

      • Managed cross-dock allocations for 250+ stores, optimizing inventory flow to maximize sales and support merchandising strategies. • Analyzed key item SKU productivity to inform buy recommendations and maintain a 90% in-stock target. • Leveraged BI Cube and Ad Hoc reporting tools to deliver insights for store performance and cross-functional team support. • Developed and distributed weekly performance reports for divisional leadership and planning teams. • Conducted in-depth inventory and sales performance reviews, generating store rankings down to the subclass level for strategic allocation decisions. • Mentored and trained new Allocation Analysts on allocation theory, system navigation, and reporting best practices.

  • Merchandise Planner at At Home Group Inc.
    Jun 2015 - May 2020 · 5 yrs

    • Developed and managed financial plans by class and department to drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity. • Partnered closely with Buyers to align assortment strategies with financial goals, ensuring optimal inventory levels and in-stock performance. • Analyzed sales trends, historical performance, and market factors to forecast demand and inform future buys. • Created and maintained weekly reporting dashboards to track KPIs and provide actionable insights for planning and buying teams. • Collaborated with Allocation, Supply Chain, and Visual Merchandising teams to support product flow and execution at the store level. • Conducted post-season hindsight analysis to identify opportunities and apply learnings to future strategies. • Presented business recaps and in-season recommendations to executive leadership, driving data-informed decisions that supported company objectives.

  • Retail Planning Manager at Haggar Clothing Co.
    Mar 2013 - May 2015 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Created receipt and sales plans by subclass to support the financial objectives of the retail division. • Partnered with Buyers to develop merchandise assortments informed by historical sales performance and trend analysis. • Generated retail buy plans to align with sales goals, margin targets, and inventory productivity. • Owned the financial strategy, performance, and profitability for the retail division. • Managed the Allocation team, including two direct reports, to ensure timely and accurate product flow. • Forecasted sales trends by analyzing customer behavior, seasonal shifts, and market dynamics. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement promotional strategies based on consumer demand. • Delivered financial insights and strategy recommendations to Buyers and the DMM to support in-season decision-making.