Job Description

Description

The Senior Inventory Deployment Analyst is responsible for managing the deployment of finished goods to various distribution centers and stores for an assigned book of business. They are also responsible for mentoring, with potential to leading one or more Inventory Deployment Analysts. The Senior Analyst will translate the merchandise plan into an inventory deployment plan, collaborating with the Merchandise Planner to ensure that inventory is managed to constraints and targets that are aligned with the business strategy. The Senior Analyst will ensure optimum inventory levels to maximize sales and margins and to achieve targeted levels of inventory productivity, in support of overall product and company profitability. The Senior Inventory Deployment Analyst will collaborate with the Managers, Merchandise Planning on positioning of themes and pre-season planning, with Space Planning on minimum presentation quantity inputs, with the Production team on new orders and with Logistics on product flow. This position reports to the Manager, Inventory Deployment.

Principle Responsibilities:

Pre-Season
Based on the approved merchandise plan, formulate an inventory deployment plan, and suggested order quantities to support it
Assist Inventory Deployment Analysts with monitoring and developing ideal store deployment parameters, taking into account constraints and inputs such as inventory levels by store cluster, lead time and order cycle, timing of merchandise delivery, minimum presentation quantity/safety stock, distribution size and frequency
Confirm & manage purchase parameters for each vendor/distribution center, e.g. lead time, order frequency, etc
Incorporate purchase parameters (order size and frequency into an inventory receipt plan that meets sales, margin, inventory objectives
Collaborate with Production/Sourcing on suggested and approved order quantities for finished goods
Where necessary, manage component tracking and place orders to support finished good buys
Work with Logistics to resolve external constraints that impact inventory flow to distribution centers and stores
Collaborate with the Merchandise Planner to prioritize flow of product in light of constraints
Collaborate with Space Planning, aligning on MPQ and store assortments
Collaborate with Merchandising on MPQ/placement of goods at time of buys/based on recommended buys in support of sales plan while maximizing pre-Sale sell-through
Set strategies/parameters to achieve targeted service levels for Vendors, DCs and Stores
Partner with the Manager, Merchandise Planning to position long-term themes and proactively plan the season; a seasonal view

In-Season
Taking into account updated demand plans, propose revised orders and deployment of inventory
Manage solutions to exceptions that occur in the deployment process
Manage reporting and inventory targets in support of major events i.e. item launch, promotions, new stores, relocations
Coordinate with Demand Forecaster and Merchandise Planner to project and execute quick turn-around on event changes
Problem solve with cross-functional partners to resolve inventory issues and proactively address constraints
Identify system inputs from cross-functional teams impacting inventory fulfillment that require further updates to optimize flow
Identify and address future inventory issues to reduce impact to the business, based on time-phased plan

Reporting/Analytics
Develop reporting to support in-season and season end hind-sighting
Review and analyze weekly store performance/inventory levels; recommend changes to forecasts
Analyze past performance to identify opportunities and create corrective action for improving inventory management performance

Integration Points
Partner cross-functionally with across the business with Merchandising, Merchandise Planning, Logistics, Distribution Centers, Space Planning, and Sourcing to ensure inventory planning goals/objectives are achieved

Qualifications

3-5 years of inventory management, replenishment or allocation experience
Experience in high volume, multi-location distribution environment or equivalent MRP experience in multi-plant manufacturing environment preferred
Retail supply chain knowledge
Leadership and team-building skills. Ability to direct day-to-day activities.
Strong communication and negotiation skills - working with multiple partners to resolve exceptions and negotiate best alternatives
Identifies and influences critical stakeholders
Optimization mindset - designs and develops plans to optimize decisions
Problem-solving skills - proactively recommends solutions to various stakeholders; makes decisions with limited information
Strong analytical skills - ability to analyze and understand quantitative data
Strong computer skills; demonstrated ability to learn and apply new software technology. Systems used: Manugistics, SAP, Microstrategy
Strong Microsoft Excel skills - to be used as needed in building tools/reporting
Experience with planning and order systems
Understands and executes against business strategy and goals
Strong prioritization skills
Bachelor degree in business, finance, statistics, operations, supply chain

An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.