Inventory Planner - Food

About the Team

The Inventory Management team is responsible for maintaining inventory levels across the fleet and in the distribution center. They handle all sales and margin forecasting and use that information to project future inventory needs. Based on these forecasts, the team places new orders and reorders to ensure the right products are available for the customer.

About the Role 

As an Inventory Planner, you will manage a department through the entire product life cycle—from pre-season planning and investment reviews to monthly open-to-buy forecasting and inventory management. You will use forecasting tools to optimize inventory flow, drive margin, and support top-line sales, while partnering cross-functionally with Merchants, Allocation, Ecommerce, and Distribution to identify opportunities and maintain inventory targets. This role is within a high-visibility category and offers strong exposure to leadership.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.

Responsibilities 

• Plan and manage a department through the entire product life cycle: 

• Create pre-season plans 

• Present plans at investment review 

• Manage monthly open to buy forecasts to drive sales and margin 

• Manage inventory levels and turn targets 

• Forecast and review buys and replenishment by sku to maintain optimum inventory flow 

• Utilize the new planning software to forecast sales and manage replenishment 

• Partner with the Inventory Distribution team to develop allocation strategies and with E-commerce team on site merchandising opportunities 

• Identify potential inventory liabilities and take action to maintain inventory targets 

• Key in this role: 

• Build a team relationship with Merchant counterparts and partner to develop financial merchandise plans by department 

• Identify opportunities to drive the top line 

• The ability to analyze the business day to day through reading and reacting to trends, and communicate actions to take 

• Develop and provide appropriate business analysis to influence purchases and assortment strategies 

• Be an integral partner with Visual, Store Operations, Sourcing, and the Distributions Centers 

• Act like an owner, being the expert on everything relating to the sales, inventory and margin of your department 

Criteria

• Minimum 2 years planning and distribution experience

• Computer skills -- Excel, Word, Microsoft Outlook, MS Access.

• Strong business acumen, financial analysis, and technical skills  

• Ability to work in a fast paced entrepreneurial environment 

• Ability to prioritize and schedule work in a deadline driven environment.  

• Superior written, communication, presentation, and listening skills 

Competencies

• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Hit sales/inventory targets.

• CREATE SOLUTIONS: Use data to optimize inventory.

• OWN IT: Take ownership of categories managed.