Joe Small

Background

About Joe Small

I am an experienced retail planning professional with over a decade of driving business growth and optimizing operations at Ross Stores, Inc. and dd’s Discounts. Throughout my career, I’ve managed multi-million-dollar businesses, developed strategic merchandise plans, and delivered data-driven solutions to improve sales, inventory efficiency, and operational performance.In my current role as a Merchandise Planning Analyst, I manage a $70 million/year business, achieving double-digit year-over-year one and two-year comp sales. I specialize in inventory management, demand forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration. My approach combines strategic thinking with creative problem-solving to sustain strong business momentum, all while leveraging my competitive drive and strong communication skills.Previous roles included expanding new stores into emerging markets, navigating store performance during the pandemic, and managing complex, seasonal businesses. My earlier experience in client-facing account management and C-suite relationship management honed my skills in communication, leadership, and strategic decision-making.I’m proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, JDA, and SAP, and I thrive on turning data into actionable insights that drive results. My passion for rowing, sailing, running, golf, and self-taught guitar reflects my dedication to discipline, teamwork, humility, and continuous learning.Let’s connect if you’re interested in analytics, retail planning, inventory strategy, or driving business growth through data-driven solutions.