Looking for a career you’ll really love? PetSmart is looking for graduating seniors excited to jump start their career through hands-on experience as a Merchant Trainee in our Phoenix Home Office. Through this program, you will gain a range of experience to help you be successful in more specific roles within PetSmart’s Merchandising department. As the foundation for all of PetSmart’s operations, associates at our Phoenix Home Office thrive in a collaborative culture where being the trusted partner to parents and pets in every moment of their lives is priority number one. 

Collaborative Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

Demand Planning Trainee Program

Program Overview

The Demand Planning Trainee Program is a 12‑week immersive development experience designed to prepare early‑career talent for full‑time Demand Planner roles within PetSmart’s Merchandising Planning organization. This program reflects the evolving needs of the business, with a clear emphasis on demand planning, inventory optimization, and cross‑functional execution, while still providing foundational exposure to core merchandising principles.

Participants will gain hands‑on experience partnering with Buyers, Merchandise Planners, Demand Planners, Space/Floor Planners, Supply Chain, and Store Operations. The program blends structured learning, real‑world business ownership, and mentorship to build strong analytical, commercial, and collaboration skills. Upon successful completion of the program, trainees will be placed directly into Demand Planner roles.

PetSmart offers a clearly defined planning career path with opportunities for continued growth, development, and advancement.

What You’ll Do During the Program

As a Demand Planning Trainee, you will develop the skills and experience required to manage inventory from purchase order creation through point of sale, while supporting merchandising strategies that drive sales, margin, and in‑stock performance.

Key experiences include:

• Learn how to ensure the right product is in the right place at the right time through demand forecasting and inventory planning
• Support store in‑stock performance, fill rate, purchase order accuracy, and on‑time shipment execution
• Assist with purchase order creation, maintenance, and issue resolution in partnership with vendors and distribution centers
• Analyze sales, inventory, and forecast data at the SKU and store level to identify risks and opportunities
• Understand Open‑to‑Buy, inventory turnover, and seasonal planning concepts
• Gain exposure to assortment strategy, promotions, and merchandising calendars to understand how planning decisions support the customer experience
• Partner cross‑functionally with Buying, Supply Chain, Store Operations, and Vendors to support business objectives
• Utilize demand planning and replenishment systems to evaluate forecasts and adjust inventory levers
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency, and inventory optimization

Placement After Program Completion

At the conclusion of the 12‑week program, trainees will transition into full‑time Demand Planner roles, where they will:

• Own inventory management for a defined book of business
• Be accountable for store in‑stocks, forecast accuracy, inventory turnover, and service levels
• Manage vendor demand plans, purchase orders, and ongoing execution
• Act as a key member of the merchandising cross‑functional team

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

Required Qualifications

• Recent graduate or graduating senior (or internal associate with VP or Director approval)
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Analytics, Retail, or a related field
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to use data to support decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Collaborative mindset and comfort working across functions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, co‑op, or academic experience related to supply chain, planning, analytics, or merchandising
• Exposure to inventory, forecasting, or data analysis concepts
• Curiosity, attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset

Why This Program

This program is designed to accelerate development into Demand Planning roles by combining hands‑on execution with strategic context. You will promote on from the program with a strong understanding of how merchandising and demand planning work together to drive customer satisfaction and business results, and with a clear path forward in PetSmart’s planning organization.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• A work-life balance and family events such as movie nights, art events and holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• Starbucks cart—productivity at its finest!
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities