Position Summary:

The Buyer / Planner is responsible for the end-to-end ownership of assigned high-profile Own Brand product programs, from initial product introduction and supplier onboarding through ongoing replenishment, inventory optimization, supplier transitions, and lifecycle management. This role serves as the primary supply chain owner for assigned programs, ensuring products are available to meet customer demand while optimizing inventory investment, service levels, and overall supply chain performance.

The Buyer / Planner translates demand forecasts, business strategy, supplier capabilities, and network requirements into actionable inventory and purchasing plans. Working cross-functionally with Sourcing, Product Development, Demand Planning, Transportation, Distribution Centers, Sales, and suppliers, this role drives inventory availability, supports new product launches, leads supplier transitions, mitigates supply risks, and continuously improves planning processes.

This position requires strong analytical capabilities, critical thinking, and the ability to independently make complex inventory and purchasing decisions while influencing partners across the organization.

Location:

This hybrid role is based out of Ferguson's corporate offices in Newport News, VA, according to company policy.

Responsibilities:

Own Brand Program Ownership

• Own assigned Own Brand product programs from concept through lifecycle management, ensuring successful execution of sourcing, launch, replenishment, growth, transition, and end-of-life planning.
• Act as the primary supply chain representative for assigned product categories and programs.
• Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, and suppliers to support new product introductions, supplier transitions, packaging changes, and product obsolesce.
• Develop inventory strategies that support business objectives while maintaining service and inventory targets.

Inventory & Replenishment Planning

• Develop and implement inventory replenishment strategies that align with forecasted demand, business priorities, and supplier capabilities.
• Determine optimal purchase quantities, timing, and inventory placement across Ferguson's distribution network.
• Balance product availability, fill rate, days of inventory, inventory investment, and excess inventory objectives.
• Handle replenishment settings, safety stock strategies, lead times, and planning parameters to optimize service and inventory performance.
• Incorporate supplier minimum order quantities, production constraints, container utilization, and transportation requirements into planning decisions.
• Evaluate direct shipments, transfers, and network positioning opportunities to improve service and reduce costs.

Supply Risk Management & Supplier Performance

• Identify current and future supply risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, production schedules, shipment visibility, and delivery execution.
• Influence supplier behavior through data-driven performance discussions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Run order expedites, cancellations, and recovery plans when service risks emerge.
• Lead inventory and supply planning efforts during supplier transitions and changing market conditions.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct advanced inventory, replenishment, and service-level analysis to find opportunities and root causes of performance gaps.
• Develop planning models, dashboards, inventory projections, and reporting tools using Excel, Power BI, SQL, and related systems.
• Analyze forecast variance, inventory exceptions, supplier performance, and network flow opportunities.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement long-term corrective actions to improve planning effectiveness.
• Design and implement alerts, reporting, and automated processes that improve inventory visibility and decision making.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Demand Planning, Sourcing, Product Development, Transportation, Distribution Centers, Sales, and Operations to align inventory and purchasing strategies.
• Present recommendations, assumptions, risks, and tradeoffs to inventory leadership and senior management.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for assigned product categories and Own Brand programs.
• Mentor and support Buyer/Planners through coaching, knowledge sharing, and process improvement initiatives.

Measures of Success:

• In-stock performance and fill rate
• Inventory turns and days of inventory
• Inventory investment and working capital efficiency
• Excess and inefficient inventory reduction
• Successful execution of new product launches and supplier transitions
• Supplier performance and supply reliability
• Forecast alignment and inventory plan accuracy
• Timely identification and mitigation of supply risks

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Analytics, Engineering, Economics, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in inventory planning, replenishment, procurement, supply chain analytics, or related disciplines.
• Experience managing imported products, supplier transitions, and multi-distribution-center inventory networks.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with Power BI, SQL, Databricks or similar analytical tools. Logility ideal.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Shown ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and project leadership skills.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

#LI-Hybrid

Pay Range:

$5,175.00 - $11,275.00

Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.