Job Summary: The Director of Inventory Management & Planning leads the strategic design, continuous improvement, and operational execution of the Inventory Management department. This role directly oversees the Demand and Supply Planning teams and serves as the functional product owner for the technical systems, algorithms, Heuristics, and data architectures driving inventory performance.
The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in end-to-end supply chain planning with strong technical acumen, leveraging enterprise planning systems, advanced data modeling, and emerging technologies (including AI/ML and automation) to build a scalable, resilient, and best-in-class planning ecosystem. Acting as a bridge between supply chain operations, IT, finance, merchandising, and marketing, the Director ensures optimal inventory flow, high stock availability, and working capital optimization across the entire business portfolio.
Job Expectations & Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operations: Direct the strategic roadmap for Demand and Supply Planning. Lead, mentor, and build high-performing planning teams focused on achieving both immediate execution goals and long-term organizational strategy.
System & Technical Ownership: Serve as the functional business owner for the tech stack supporting Demand & Supply Planning. Partner with IT, Data Engineering, and software vendors to design, test, deploy, and continuously optimize automated planning tools, systems integrations, and predictive algorithms.
Technical Demand & Supply Planning: Lead the development and refinement of multi-variable statistical forecasting models, dynamic safety stock calculations, lead-time variability models, and automated replenishment logic to maximize network in-stock levels while minimizing working capital.
Advanced Analytics & S&OP / IBP: Drive the data architecture and quantitative inputs for Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP). Establish automated dashboards to monitor forecast accuracy (MAPE/WAPE), bias, inventory turn targets, OTIF, and excess & obsolete (E&O) risks.
Parameter & Algorithm Optimization: Continuously audit and fine-tune system planning parameters-such as reorder points, service levels, lead times, and minimum order quantities-ensuring system logic accurately reflects operational constraints and business strategy.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to align inventory targets with business objectives. Coordinate financial and assortment planning to ensure optimal in-stock positions for key categories, product launches, promotions, and seasonal events.
Supplier & Upstream Integration: Facilitate long-term demand projections and collaborative planning with key suppliers to secure capacity, optimize lead times, and ensure supply chain resilience.
Talent Development & Culture: Foster a culture of continuous learning, data-driven decision-making, and technical capability. Provide clear goals, performance coaching, and career growth trajectories for team members
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Technical & System Acumen: Deep understanding of enterprise supply chain software, planning algorithms, statistical forecasting methodologies, and Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization (MEIO).
- System Implementation Leadership: Proven ability to act as the business lead/subject matter expert for complex software implementations, upgrades, data migrations, or integration projects.
- Quantitative & Analytical Capabilities: Strong data literacy with the ability to query large datasets, build advanced quantitative models, and translate technical analytics into strategic business recommendations.
- Executive Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex technical and financial data into clear conclusions and present recommendations directly to Senior Leadership.
- Change Management & Agility: Strong ability to drive organizational change, overcome the status quo, and guide teams through technical and operational transitions in a fast-paced environment.
- Cross-Functional Influence: Demonstrated success leading through influence and establishing strong, collaborative relationships across IT, Finance, Merchandising, and Operations.
Technical Stack & Tool Requirements- Advanced Planning & ERP Systems: Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) tools (e.g., SAP IBP, Oracle SCM, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, o9 Solutions, or equivalent).
- Data & Business Intelligence (BI): Proficiency with Enterprise BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) for dashboard creation; functional knowledge of SQL for data extraction and analysis.
- Advanced Analytics Tools: Mastery of advanced Excel/Google Sheets modeling; familiarity with statistical modeling tools, Python, or R is highly desirable.
- Collaboration & Project Management: Proficient in project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Jira) and cloud productivity suites (Google Workspace, MS Office).
Experience & Education Requirements- Experience: Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain, Demand & Supply Planning, or Inventory Management, with at least 5 years in a leadership/management role. Demonstrated track record of leading technical, system-driven supply chain initiatives. Ecommerce/retail experience preferred, within merchandising / planning and VMS/Health and Wellness background.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Operations Research, or related quantitative field required. Master's degree (MS/MBA) or APICS/CPIM/CSCP certification is a plus.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Work Environment: Primary location is a remote home office, with secondary exposure to office and warehouse environments as business needs require. Fast-paced environment requiring the agility to handle multiple competing priorities.
- Physical Demands: Regular requirement to communicate via video/audio, sit for extended periods, and utilize computer interface tools. Occasional travel may be required.
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Compensation:
The expected salary range for this role is $190,000.00-210,000.00 USD. The actual base pay offered will be determined by factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education, geographic location, and internal equity.
